Understanding Americans' views on opioid pain reliever abuse.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Opioid pain reliever abuse rates have increased sharply in the United States. This study examines Americans' personal experience with opioid pain reliever use and abuse, and views about the seriousness of the problem, factors causing it, responsibility for addressing it and support for policies to resolve it.

Design

Public opinion survey.

Setting and participants

A nationally representative US adult sample (n = 1111).

Measures

Experiences with opioid pain relievers and views about the seriousness, causes of and responsibility for addressing the problem, and support for policies to reduce opioid pain reliever abuse.

Findings

28.2 per cent of Americans reported using opioid pain relievers in the last 12 months, 69.5% have used them in their life-time

SUBMITTER: Barry CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6790221 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature