FEATURED Medical education topic: Prescription for Trouble: Unrecognized Opioid Addiction and the Role of Healthcare Providers

What is the problem? 
Opioids are sometimes prescribed to manage and treat moderate-to-severe pain, as well as acute pain following injury or surgery. They are effective for controlling the pain, but can come with serious risks of addiction, overdose, and even death. Prescription medication misuse, including opioids, continues to be a medical problem. In 2023, approximately 5.7 million people in the United States had opioid use disorder. While there has been an encouraging decline in overdose deaths, overdose remains the leading cause of death for adults aged 18-44 in the United States. Clinicians should be familiar with these medications, including the risks of misuse and techniques to minimize it.

Proposed Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this activity, the learners will be able to:

• Explain what non-medicinal drug use is
• List the most common medication classes used for non-medicinal purposes
• Discuss the various methods of diversion
• Become familiar with techniques to minimize non-medicinal medication use

If your medical staff needs an update on the risks of opioid misuse and addiction, consider contacting our office to book a speaker at 877-505-4777 or info@speakersnetwork.com.

REFERENCES

https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/prescription-opioids.html
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2025/20250514.htm