What is the likelihood of long-term opioid use if a prescription lasts a month?

When considering the likelihood of long-term opioid use following a one-month prescription, research indicates that there is a significant increase in the probability of continued use. Specifically, the data shows that when a patient is prescribed opioids for a month, the chance of them using opioids long-term can increase to approximately 29.9%. This figure represents a marked uptick compared to shorter prescriptions.

Long-term use is often defined as continued use of opioids for 90 days or more, and the initial month-long prescription lays a foundation for dependency, as patients may become accustomed to the medication's effects, thus increasing the chance of ongoing use beyond the initial prescription period.

This understanding underscores the importance of careful prescribing practices and monitoring for potential dependency in patients who are put on opioid pain management.