Abstract

The levelling off of fatalities from prescription opioids has coincided with declines in opioid prescriptions; after peaking in 2012, the total opioid prescribing rate has declined for commercial insurers, Medicare and Medicaid. In 2017, the prescribing rate fell to the lowest it had been in more than 10 years to nearly 59 prescriptions per 100 persons, down from more than 81 prescriptions per 100 persons at the 2012 peak in opioid prescriptions. Still, prescribing rates continue to remain very high in certain areas across the country; and the per capita opioid use in the United States continues to vastly surpass those of other countries. Overprescribing of opioids has played a role in the epidemic. Overall, estimated percentages of people prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them, and percentages develop an opioid use disorder.