Workers Comp Opioid Crisis – Fixed or Did Everyone Move on to New Subject?
The Workers Comp opioid crisis started in the early to mid-2010s, through the pandemic. What happened to the crisis? Was it fixed, or did everyone move to a new subject, such as workers comp AI or another concern? Let’s go look at what happened.
WC Opioid Crisis – I Stand Corrected
The most recent article produced on the workers comp opioid crisis came from CDC- NIOSH in February 2024. According to the Centers for Disease Control- NIOSH (CDC) in its early 2024 post, the red flag was first raised in the State of Washington in 2005. I had thought it was a little later than 2005.
From the CDC Study:
In 2005, Franklin et al. published a study that identified an unusual increase in unintentional opioid-involved overdose deaths. It also determined that these deaths occurred among workers who received opioid prescriptions for non-catastrophic injuries. These include carpal tunnel syndrome or low back pain. Over half of these workers received prescriptions for a schedule II opioid.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20191
https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302367
To see a list of Schedule II opioids, check out this list including illegal ones.
Two things that surprised me about the studies. The measurement and recognition of the trend started in 1996, and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was one of the leading injuries for opioid prescriptions. CTS was reduced by 50% in the workplace by 2010.
The reason for the 50% reduction in CTS, while still being a source of opioid RXs, was that the RXs were prescribed long-term.
Guidelines That Worked Temporarily or Permanently
Many followed Washington State’s guidelines on opioid RXs, such as J&L’s HQ state, North Carolina.
One of the main research groups that covered the Workers Comp opioid crisis is the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). NCCI had noted a drop of opioid prescriptions from 55% to 32% of Workers Comp claims. That shows progress.
Bottom Line on The Workers Comp Opioid Crisis
The real “cure” will come when the drug manufacturers answer a new market with a solution.
According to the Cleveland Clinic,
The FDA has approved Suzetrigine, a sodium channel blocker, as the first non-opioid acute pain treatment in over 20 years. It blocks nerve cells from conducting pain signals and is considered less addictive compared to opioids. Its efficacy is comparable to weaker opioids like hydrocodone.
The Workers Comp opioid crisis will be solved by substitutions such as Suvetrigine. Other non-addictive opioids are being tested. We shall see.
