______________________________________________________ Responsible and Effective Opioid Prescribing
PROGNOSIS OF TREATMENT FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER The relapse rate among patients receiving treatment for opioid dependence and other substance abuse is high (25% to 97%), comparable to that of other patients with chronic relapsing conditions, including hypertension and asthma [103]. Many cases of relapse are attributable to treatment noncompliance and lack of lifestyle modification [104]. Duration of agonist replacement therapy is usually recommended as a minimum of one year, and some patients will receive agonist replacement therapy indefinitely. Longer durations of treatment are associated with higher rates of abstinence from illicit opioids [93]. Much remains unknown about patient outcomes following termination of long-term opioid replacement therapy. Some patients aim to achieve total abstinence from all opioids, but little is known about patient characteristics and strategies used among those who remain abstinent. It is likely that at least some of the patients who remain abstinent from all opioids do so with the help of a 12-step support program, such as NA [93]. CONCLUSION Opioid analgesic medications can bring substantial relief to patients suffering from pain. However, the inappropriate use, abuse, and diversion of prescription drugs in America, particularly prescription opioids, has increased dramatically in recent years and has been identified as a national public health epidemic. A set of clinical tools, guidelines, and recommendations are now available for prescribers who treat patients with opioids. By implementing these tools, the clinician can effectively address issues related to the clinical management of opioid prescribing, opioid risk management, regulations surrounding the prescribing of opioids, and problematic opioid use by patients. In doing so, healthcare professionals are more likely to achieve a balance between the benefits and risks of opioid prescribing, optimize patient attainment of therapeutic goals, and avoid the risk to patient outcome, public health, and viability of their own practice imposed by deficits in knowledge.
The following excerpt is reprinted from the Colorado Revised Statute 12-280-4. Available online at https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/ files/images/olls/crs2022-title-12.pdf.
COLORADO REVISED STATUTE 12-280-4 SECTION 12-280-401 - LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION (1) The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that: (a) Prescription drug misuse occurs in this country to an extent that exceeds or rivals the abuse of illicit drugs; (b) Prescription drug misuse occurs at times due to the deception of the authorized practitioners where patients seek controlled substances for treatment and the practitioner is unaware of the patient’s other medical providers and treatments; (c) Electronic monitoring of prescriptions for controlled substances provides a mechanism whereby practitioners can discover the extent of each patient’s requests for drugs and whether other providers have prescribed similar substances during a similar period of time; (d) Electronic monitoring of prescriptions for controlled substances provides a mechanism for law enforcement officials and regulatory boards to efficiently investigate practitioner behavior that is potentially harmful to the public. SECTION 12-280-403 - PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE MONI- TORING PROGRAM - REGISTRATION REQUIRED (1) The board shall develop or procure a prescription controlled substance electronic program to track information regarding prescriptions for controlled substances dispensed in Colo- rado, including the following information: (a) The date the prescription was dispensed; (b) The name of the patient and the practitioner; (c) The name and amount of the controlled substance; (d) The method of payment; (e) The name of the dispensing pharmacy; and (f) Any other data elements necessary to determine whether a patient is visiting multiple practitioners or pharmacies, or both, to receive the same or similar medication. (2) (a) Each practitioner licensed in this state who holds a current registration issued by the federal drug enforce- ment administration and each pharmacist licensed in this state shall register and maintain a user account with the program.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/opioid-prescribing
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