North Carolina Opioid Crisis: New Painkiller Prescription Limits Enacted
As the North Carolina opioid crisis continues to intensify, lawmakers are grasping at straws in terms of finding ways to fight this large scale epidemic. While to some North Carolina may not seem like the epicenter of the opioid epidemic, statistics prove otherwise. North Carolina is actually home to the worst city for opioid abuse in the country, in Wilmington, and has 3 other cities in the top 20 including Hickory (5), Jacksonville (12), and Fayetteville (18).
North Carolina Opioid Crisis Prompts Lawmakers to Pass Additional Legislation
As overdoses continue to plague counties across the state, lawmakers have passed the Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act, which aims to set restrictions on the number of opioids that can be prescribed during the first visit with a healthcare provider.
Beginning January 1st, 2018, doctors can only prescribe five days of opioids for severe pain from injuries including a broken bone, automobile accident, or other type of muscle injury. After the initial five days, doctors can refill opioid prescriptions as they see fit.
In addition, patients who just underwent surgery will now receive a one week supply of opioids. Refills can be prescribed as needed after the initial first week, but the initial prescription is significantly restricted to prevent misuse.
These new limits do not affect those patients who are dealing with long term chronic pain due to severe back injuries, or those in hospice care or in nursing homes.
Goal is to Reduce the Number of Patients Becoming Addicted to Opioids
The goal of this new legislation is to reduce the number of individuals who become addicted to opioids after some type of surgical procedure or injury. Statistics show that a large percentage of those individuals currently dealing with opioid addiction began by using prescribed opioids due to some type of injury or health problem. Hopefully this new legislation will be a success if we can reduce the likelihood that patients become addicted in the first place.
Are You a North Carolinian Struggling with Opioid Addiction?
The number of individuals across North Carolina, and across the country that are struggling due to an addiction to opiates is absolutely staggering. If you or someone you love is addicted to these highly addictive drugs, feel free to reach out to our team today to learn more about our revolutionary, yet compassionate opiate detox treatment. We’ll be happy to speak with you at length about your current situation and determine how best to help you move forward. We can be reached by phone at 800-603-1813 or through our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you very soon!