In her presentation to the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Nora D. Volkow, M.D. declared, “To address the complex problem of prescription opioid and heroin abuse in this country, we must recognize and consider the special character of this phenomenon, for we are asked not only to confront the negative and growing impact of opioid abuse on health and mortality, but also to preserve the fundamental role played by prescription opioid pain relievers in healing and reducing human suffering.”
Opioids are a class of prescription medication taken to relieve pain. Because of their ability to alleviate pain and, in some cases, cause a euphoric response, many individuals have become physically dependent and/or addicted to the prescription drugs. Members of the Dobson Healthcare team attended the Grand Rapids Adjusters Association (GRAA) meeting this week to learn more about the Opioid Epidemic that is striking many of our chronic pain clients. Pain is considered “chronic” after 90 days or more usage of opioids under a physicians watch. This is a hot topic with auto insurance adjusters as well as Workers Compensation case managers. Recently, the State of Michigan has introduced the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) system; a program to better manage these clients and find ways to meet their pain management needs without causing more health issues for them or, for some, resulting in death. By the State of Michigan working with physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare industry leaders, we can assist in the prevention of prescription drug abuse and end the opioid epidemic.
To learn more about MAPS and the Workers Compensation Agency’s involvement, please visit www.michigan.gov/wca.
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. (n.d.). Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS). Retrieved October 05, 2016.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). How do opioids affect the brain and body? Retrieved October 05, 2016.
Volkow M.D., N. D. (2014). America’s Addiction to Opioids: Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved October 05, 2016.