Everyone is discussing the effects of opioids in the workplace lately and I figured it was time to weigh in on the situation.  In my opinion being a pain management doctor has to be one of the most difficult areas to practice in; every person has a different perception of pain and how to deal with it.  For instance I tend to believe I high a high pain tolerance, I have aches, breaks and tears that I deal with on a daily basis and consider it part of my life.  For some people on the other hand they may want something prescribed to deal with this type of pain.

Let’s just take a look at some numbers on this subject for a minute.  Based on 2013 data in the United States 43,982 people died as a result of a drug overdose – how many of those did you hear about in the news.  Now let’s compare that number to some other deaths that tend to be more publicized; there were 35,369 deaths by motor vehicle accidents, 16,121 deaths by homicide and 41,149 deaths by suicide.  Drug overdose trumped all those, but it is something that is just starting to get the attention it deserves.

Last year the most widely prescribed opiate drug was hydrocodone known as the brand name Vicodin.  Some of the common symptoms of being on opioids are: apathy, fatigue, drowsiness, slowed reflexes, slurred speech, and mood swings.  Now that is just a few to say the least, if you were an employer would you want one of your workers talking to customers, operating machinery, driving a vehicle, or moving things with these type of symptoms going on?  My guess is no, it is liability to everyone involved not just the worker themselves.

Opioid abuse can attribute to turnover, absenteeism, loss of productivity, lack of performance, and poor time management skills.  If it is related to a workers compensation claim then you are looking at higher pharmacy costs, longer claim duration, longer time out of work, inability to participate in a return to work program.

Employers need to have a firm, clear, written policy on drugs in the workplace, especially those that can be legally prescribed and abused.  Employers should constantly educate employees on how drugs can effect their work and lead to injuries.  Direct supervisors should have training on what to look for in employees if they suspect them to be under the influence of opioids or any other narcotics.  Lastly drug testing in the workplace is essential, employers just need to be aware of legal drugs being used illegally – should an employee test positive for something such as hydrocodone then they should be able to produce a valid prescription for their doctor for it.  Should the drug be affecting an employees performance and they are legally prescribed the medicine employers may look into moving them into a different position temporarily until they are healed and able to fully resume their duties without being under the influence.

In conclusion this has turned into not just an addiction problem but a pandemic in America, not only is it a top killer but it is taking its toll on employees, employers, and the claims environment.  Protocols need to be stepped up and followed but because these can be legally prescribed drugs it is hard to say that someone should not be taking them if they are in pain.  I definitely see this as a fine and tricky line to walk down but we need to have safer workplaces and less people dying from these drugs.  Companies are spending way too much money in workers compensation claims because of opioids, something needs to change.