Study Links Risk Of Painkiller Addiction To Type Of Surgery
Because surgeries like knee replacements, breast surgeries and hip replacements have particularly painful post-operative recovery, patients undergoing them are at higher risk of becoming addicted.
KQED:
Study: Opiate Addiction More Likely After Certain Surgeries
The chance that you’ll get hooked on painkillers after surgery is low — only about five in a thousand people do, according to a new Stanford study. But researchers found that the type of surgery can make a difference. “The surgeries that were at high risk were knee replacements, breast surgeries, hip replacements and open gallbladder surgeries.” says Dr. Eric Sun, anesthesiologist and lead author on the study, published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. He says these procedures, which can involve particularly painful post-operative recovery, were about twice as likely to lead to chronic opioid use. (McClurg, 7/12)
In other public health news —
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San Diego’s Methamphetamine Problem Strains Criminal Justice System
In 2010, customs agents seized roughly 2,500 kilos of meth at the San Ysidro border crossing. In 2014, they confiscated more than double that amount — 5,800 kilos. One hit of meth is about a quarter of a gram — 5,800 kilos equals 5.8 million hits. That’s how much was confiscated. Nobody knows how much is actually getting in. What’s worse is the methamphetamine that’s coming across from Mexico is stronger than ever, and the price on the street is lower than ever. That leads to more meth use and more meth-related problems. (Goldberg, 7/12)