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Review
. 2020 Apr;47(2):181-190.
doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2019.12.005.

The Opioid Epidemic

Lily A Upp  1 , Jennifer F Waljee  2
Affiliations
Review

The Opioid Epidemic

Lily A Upp et al. Clin Plast Surg. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Increases in opioid prescribing over the last several decades is correlated with an alarming increase in opioid-related morbidity and mortality owing to both prescription opioid misuse and abuse as well as heroin abuse. Prescribing after surgery is commonly in excess, and leftover pills are an important driver of opioid use disorders owing to diversion and misuse. Creating evidence-based prescribing guidelines based on patient-centered outcomes and encouraging safe opioid storage and disposal is critical to curbing opioid-related morbidity and mortality going forward and to ensure safe and appropriate postoperative pain management.

Keywords: Narcotic; Opioid; Pain; Surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Dr J.F. Waljee receives funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (RO1 DA042859), NIAMS (P50 AR070600), and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (E20180672-00 Michigan DHHS - MA-2018 Master Agreement Program), as well as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA: E20180568-00 MA-2018 Master Agreement Program) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (E20182818-00 MA-2018 Master Agreement Program).

MeSH terms

Substances