One-third of long-term prescription opioid users said they were physically dependent on the drugs, according to a collaborative survey from The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
For the survey, researchers polled 809 adults who had either taken opioid prescription pain medication for a period of at least two months, or were living with a household member taking the prescription drugs for that period of time.
Here are three key takeaways from the survey.
1. While nearly all long-term users said they were first introduced to the narcotic painkillers by a physician, more than 60 percent said their provider offered no advice on how or when to stop taking the drugs. Also, approximately 25 percent reported receiving insufficient information regarding the side effects of opioid use.
2. Two-thirds of those surveyed said the relief provided by the medication was worth the risk of addiction.
3. While one-third of opioid users believed they were addicted, their housemates reported a different outlook. More than half of respondents living with long-term opioid users suspected their family member or roommate was addicted. Additionally, family members of long-term users were more likely to report opioids as having a damaging influence on their loved ones' physical and mental health, finances and personal relationships.
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