Opioid Abuse & Workers Comp: How to tackle a growing problem

Opioid use and misuse by workers is a major concern for employers. An increasing number of workers are prescribed these powerful and addictive drugs to alleviate pain, but frequently they are prescribed to treat the wrong kinds of pain and don't eliminate the source of pain. Too often, opioid use results in extended disability and additional medical concerns for claimants. This white paper provides background on opioid misuse; offers concrete steps that workers compensation managers can take before and after opioids are prescribed to prevent harm from the drugs; and suggests ways of measuring the effectiveness of the steps taken. View a sample.