From opioid-free to long-term user, in one operation: Study shows key role of surgery

(Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan) Having surgery always comes with risks. But a new study suggests a new one to add to the usual list: the risk of becoming a long-term opioid user. About 6 percent of people who hadn't been taking opioids before their operation, but were prescribed the drugs to ease their post-surgery pain, were still getting the drugs three to six months later, the study finds. That's long after the window considered normal for surgical recovery.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2ozlzeD