FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM APRIL 4, 2019 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 25
health
Survey: Parents have misconceptions about opioids and kids’ pain relief
News of opioid abuse, overdoses and
reports that 90 percent of addictions start
in the teen years could make any parent
worry. Yet parents remain confl icted
about opioids: While more than half
express concern their child may be at risk
for opioid addiction, nearly two-thirds
believe opioids are more eff ective at managing
their child’s pain aft er surgery or a
broken bone than non-prescription medication
or other alternatives.
Th at’s according to a nationwide survey
commissioned by the American Society
of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
“Th e survey results shed light on the
country’s confl icted relationship with
and understanding of opioids,” said ASA
President Linda J. Mason, M.D., FASA.
“Opioids may not always be the best
option. It really depends on the type of
surgery and how long they are required.
It is important for parents to know that
there are many alternatives available that
are as - or more - safe and eff ective for
pain management.”
A physician anesthesiologist can create
an individualized plan to best address
patients’ pain based on the condition or
type of surgery and decrease the risk of
opioid misuse and addiction. Read on for
four insights from the survey regarding
opioids and pain management.
1. Parents aren’t asking about
eff ective alternatives.
While opioids can help with pain management
for a few days aft er surgery or
injury, eff ective alternatives do not have
the side eff ects and risks of opioids. But
the survey results suggest parents oft en
don’t ask about alternatives, or aren’t
aware of the options.
• 59 percent said they would talk to their
physician about pain management
options, but only 37 percent of those
whose children were prescribed opioids
did.
• 88 percent recognized non-opioid,
over-the-counter medications, such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen
(Advil or Motrin) and aspirin, are used
to eff ectively help treat pain. However,
few were aware the same applies to
other non-opioid options, including
steroids (23 percent), antidepressants (9
percent) and anti-seizure medications
(7 percent).
Beyond medications, non-drug therapies
can help with ongoing pain, including
nerve blocks, physical therapy, biofeedback,
meditation, virtual reality, massage
and acupuncture.
2. Parents are unaware
that safe storage and proper
disposal are key
More than half of people who misuse
prescribed opioids get them from
a friend or relative. Safe storage and
proper disposal of the drugs are
important to help curb the epidemic.
• Only 50 percent said they stored or
would store opioids in a safe and
secure place.
• 60 percent of those whose children
took opioids said they needed fewer
than were prescribed and had leftover
medication. But only 39 percent
of all parents disposed or would
dispose of leftover opioids as recommended,
including taking them
to a local pharmacy or health clinic,
flushing them down the toilet or
mixing them with dirt, kitty litter
or coffee grounds before throwing
them away.
* 61 percent correctly identified the
ideal method of disposing leftover
opioids, which involves taking them
to a collection center at a local police
station or drug disposal program at a
pharmacy or clinic.
3. Parents understand importance
of communication
When a child is prescribed opioids,
parents need to have an open and honest
discussion about the potential side
effects and risks - not only with the
child taking the medication, but other
family members as well.
• 74 percent said they have talked to
their child about the dangers of abusing
prescription and over-the-counter
medications and 20 percent said
they intend to have the conversation.
• 91 percent said they are confident
their children know that prescribed
and over-the-counter medications
can be just as dangerous as illegal
drugs.
4. Parents recognize naloxone
saves lives
Naloxone (Narcan) is a lifesaving medication
administered via nasal spray or
injection that rapidly reverses the eff ects
of an overdose. It’s important to know
about naloxone because anyone who uses
opioids may be at risk for an overdose.
• 71 percent agreed that having naloxone
on hand is the same as having other
life-saving medication available for people
who suff er from conditions such as
allergies, asthma or diabetes.
• 80 percent said they would be more
comfortable having it at home if their
child or another family member was
taking opioids.
• 92 percent thought all fi rst responders
should carry it.
The 17-question Engine Caravan
Omnibus Survey was conducted online
Nov. 25 to Dec. 2, 2018, among 1,007 parents
of children ages 13-24, one-third of
whom had been prescribed opioids.
Visit ASA’s website at asahq.org for
information about all aspects of pain
management and to access an opioid
overdose resuscitation card that provides
guidance on symptoms of an overdose
and how to help.
Courtesy BPT
/WWW.QNS.COM
/asahq.org
