Opioid Addiction Misconception Spread by Journal Letter
January 10th, 1980
January 10th, 1980

How Long Ago?
45 years, 2 months, 5 days ago
Location
United States
Category
Health & Medicine
People
- Russell Portenoy
- Kathleen Foley
Links & References
Tags
Opioid Addiction Misconception Spread by Journal Letter
A letter published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggested that addiction to narcotics was rare in patients treated with these drugs. Authored by Dr. Russell Portenoy and Dr. Kathleen Foley, the letter claimed that addiction was uncommon in a clinical context. Its widespread citation contributed to a growing misconception about the safety of opioid prescriptions, which would later have significant implications in public health and opioid prescribing practices.
Published claims about low addiction rates
Influenced opioid prescription practices
Contributed to future addiction crisis
Authors emphasized clinical pain relief
What Happened?
In a letter to The New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Russell Portenoy and Dr. Kathleen Foley presented findings indicating that addiction to opioids was a rare occurrence among patients treated with narcotics for pain management. This communication sought to reassure physicians about the relative safety of these medications when responsibly prescribed in a clinical setting. The authors emphasized that, in their experience, addiction was more likely in a subset of patients with a history of substance abuse rather than those receiving appropriate medical care for pain relief. The letter gained significant visibility within the medical community and was frequently referenced in discussions about opioid prescribing guidelines. This publication coincided with a rising trend toward more aggressive management of pain in clinical settings, which led to an increase in opioid prescriptions.As time progressed, the assertions made in the letter were taken out of context, and many in the medical field began to adopt a permissive stance toward opioid usage for pain management. The idea that addiction was infrequent among users of prescribed opioids contributed to a perception that these medications could be used safely and liberally. Unfortunately, this perspective ultimately contributed to the opioid crisis, as it misrepresented the risk of addiction and led to a surge in opioid prescriptions, resulting in significant public health issues associated with opioid addiction and overdose.
Why Does it Matter?
The letter published by Dr. Portenoy and Dr. Foley profoundly impacted medical practice and public health policies regarding pain management. By downplaying the risks of addiction, it contributed to a rise in opioid prescriptions, which subsequently led to widespread addiction and a national crisis. This event is notable for highlighting the need for rigorous evaluation of medical literature and the responsibility of healthcare professionals to provide balanced viewpoints.
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