Greater opioid use and mental health disorders are linked in a new study
Last Updated: Wednesday July 28, 2021
(The Washington Post, June 26) People suffering from anxiety and depression are using a larger amount of prescription painkillers than those who aren’t, says a new study.
Almost 19 percent of the estimated 38.6 million people with the two most common mental health disorders received at least two opioid prescriptions during a year, according to research from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the University of Michigan.
In addition, more than 50 percent of the highly addictive painkillers went to people with a mental health disorder, researchers say. Read more.
Almost 19 percent of the estimated 38.6 million people with the two most common mental health disorders received at least two opioid prescriptions during a year, according to research from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the University of Michigan.
In addition, more than 50 percent of the highly addictive painkillers went to people with a mental health disorder, researchers say. Read more.