A New Correlation on Opioid Addiction

[BristolCavendish]

Some of you may have already read (or heard) about these findings. Medical researchers at Dartmouth and the University of Michigan have found that there is a direct connection between opioid addiction and depression/anxiety disorders. While the total % may appear small (in certain respects), 19% of the 3.8M annually prescribed vicodin, percoset et al tend to develop addiction issues based on their interpretation of pain. In other words, while a 'normal' person might rate their pain level as a 4 or 5 on a scale of 10, someone with depression/anxiety issues can oftentimes call it an 8.

Since refills are often prescribed by a primary care physician, the intended use can create an ongoing habit that goes unchecked. The researchers are recommending that some sort of psychological examination accompany any Rx for opioid-based painkillers.

I came across the article on page A14 of today's SF Chronicle just before tossing it and chances are, the report has been conveyed online.