Top Ten Brain Posts 2012: #6 Opiate Deaths

The number six ranked post for 2012 on Brain Posts was "Risk Factors for Accidental Overdose". This post examined a research study from the VA that looked a series of accidental overdose deaths in Veterans between 2000 and 2006. 

Most of these deaths involved overdose with prescription or illicit drugs.  Often a combination of drugs is implicated in an accidental overdose.  

Risk factors for accidental deaths as expected included a substance abuse or alcohol abuse diagnosis.  Opiate dependence was the strongest risk factor.

However, other psychiatric disorders also increased risk for accidental overdose including: bipolar disorder, major depression, PTSD and schizophrenia.  The take home message from this study is that clinicians treating those with mental disorders should monitor patients for risk of death related to prescription and illicit use.

Another post on a related topic demonstrated that risk for accidental overdose with prescription and illicit opiates has more than doubled in the U.S. over the last decade.  Rates of opiate-related deaths vary widely between states and are highest in states with the highest rates of opiate prescription use of Lortab, Oxycontin, Vicodin and similar drugs.  Public health and law enforcement efforts are underway to reduce the number of accidental opiate overdose deaths.

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