12/15/20
Michael Coupland
The use of opioids across our nation has risen to epidemic proportions, and regulators, government agencies and, of course, the workers' compensation industry have implemented actions designed to address this problem. Their efforts are commendable, and the workers' compensation industry has made good strides toward stemming the complications associated with opioids.
But lost in this conversation is an understanding of who, how and why opioids affect certain people. The best way to truly prevent the potential negative consequences of opioid use is to act from a position of knowledge.
Who do opioids affect?
A first-time opioid user can die from the effects of opioids, and everyone who uses them soon becomes physically dependent on them. Despite the dependency, not everyone develops a tolerance to the drugs, and even fewer become addicted. It's not possible to accurately determine those most vulnerable to addiction or when that shift will occur. But there is a lot we do know that can help us as we make decisions.