A recent study in CNS Drugs analyzed information from more than 30,000 injured employees with neck and back injuries during the decade between 2010 and 2019. The study found 20.5% were prescribed opioids within the first three months of their claim.

One opinion shows opioid use for non-cancer chronic pain shouldn’t be the norm and should be considered cautiously. There is a lack of evidence for their benefit long-term.

Short-term prescriptions should thoughtfully consider the pros and cons. Nearly a fourth of participants in the study were still prescribed opioids after a year.

Prescriptions were considered high-risk if large volumes were prescribed within three months. Highest risk were long-acting opioids and psychotropics prescribed in unison. Long-term use and early high-risk prescribing were higher in rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

The study’s senior author indicated the data showed harmful early high-risk and long-term opioid use. Overall, at least 120,000 Australians have more than a week off for back and neck injuries each year. If other states in Australia show the same patterns as the state of Victoria, then thousands of injured workers are taking high-risk opioid prescriptions through the workers’ compensation system.

If is indicated that better monitoring of the prescription patterns in Victoria, Australia is needed to prevent possible harmful prescriptions of opioids. It was seen that early high-risk opioid use plus long term use were connected. Early high-risk use doubled the chances of long-term use.

Thus, if injured workers use opioids early or for a long time, they have more time off work and also worse health outcomes.