Opioid abuse disorder for those 65 and older has tripled in just last 5 years
By Melissa Nold
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Texas Insider Report) — The opioid epidemic remains a devastating crisis in the United States. In 2022 alone, over 80,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses, and nearly 10 million Americans misused opioids. Surprisingly, among the most vulnerable populations affected by this epidemic are seniors.
The National Institutes of Health has reported a troubling surge in opioid use and abuse among those aged 65 and older. Opioid use disorder in this demographic has tripled in just the last five years:
- In 2021, more than 50,000 seniors experienced an overdose,
- with over 1 million seniors being diagnosed with an opioid use disorder.
While the number of opioid prescriptions has steadily declined in recent years, this trend has not been uniform across all sectors of the healthcare system. Notably, between 2011 and 2019, Medicare’s share of all opioid prescriptions increased by more than 70%, contributing to a 1 million increase in prescriptions.
At the same time, misuse and abuse of opioids by seniors has escalated. In fact, studies show that opioid use disorder among Medicare beneficiaries tripled between 2013 and 2018.
While prescription opioids undoubtedly serve an important function in managing acute pain, the reality is that for many seniors, these drugs carry immense risks — addiction, overdose, and even death.
Given the seriousness of this crisis, it is imperative that patients, especially seniors, have access to safe, effective, and non-addictive alternatives to opioids for pain management.Enter the Alternatives to PAIN Act (H.R. 7142 in the U.S. House, and S. 3832 in the U.S. Senate,) which offers a promising solution.
This bipartisan bill aims to provide Medicare patients with access to non-opioid pain treatments and ensure that these treatments are affordable. By ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries can access safer, non-addictive pain relief options at no greater cost than they would pay for generic opioid medications, the Alternatives to PAIN Act seeks to curb the opioid epidemic at its roots by giving seniors the tools to manage pain without the risk of addiction.
The bill also includes key provisions that will protect seniors from policies like step therapy and prior authorization, which often delay or restrict access to necessary care. Under these provisions, Medicare beneficiaries would be able to receive non-opioid treatments without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that could prevent timely access to safer pain management solutions.
- A breakthrough is on the horizon: the FDA is on the cusp of approving the first-ever oral non-opioid alternative to treat acute pain.
- This development could revolutionize how severe pain is managed, providing a safe and effective option that does not carry the addictive potential of traditional opioids.
However, ensuring that seniors can access these non-opioid alternatives will require legislative action.
The Alternatives to PAIN Act is a critical step in this direction. With broad bipartisan support including co-sponsorship from key lawmakers such as Senator John Cornyn, and Representatives Dr. Michael Burgess, August Pfluger, and Randy Weber, the bill is poised to make a meaningful impact in the fight against opioid addiction.
But the fight is far from over. Congress must act quickly to pass this legislation and ensure that seniors have access to the safer pain management alternatives they desperately need.
For Texans, the urgency is clear. The opioid crisis has already taken a significant toll on families, and the need for non-addictive pain relief options has never been more pressing.
By supporting the Alternatives to PAIN Act, lawmakers from Texas and across the nation can help protect vulnerable seniors, reduce the risk of opioid addiction, and ultimately save lives.
Now is the time for Congress to act and secure a safer, healthier future for America’s seniors.
Melissa Nold is owner of Complete Healthcare Consulting in Austin, Texas.
