A new study analyzing NFL pain medication prescriptions reveals that players rely on opioids at a much lower rate than the general population, demonstrating progress in addressing opioid misuse within the league.
NFL athletes, despite the physically demanding nature of their sport, utilize opioid pain medications at a significantly lower rate compared to the general U.S. population and males of similar age. A recent analysis of 2021 and 2022 data from the National Football League Prescription Drug Monitoring Program revealed that opioid prescriptions accounted for less than 3% of all pain medications dispensed to NFL players during these seasons.
The majority of pain medications prescribed (over 86%) were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, or celecoxib, which are currently recommended as the first-line treatment for pain. This finding contrasts sharply with a 2011 survey of retired NFL players, which reported that 52% had used prescription opioids during their careers, with 71% of those reporting misuse. The NFL-NFLPA Joint Pain Management Committee, established in 2019, attributes this positive trend to several factors, including heightened awareness of safe pain management practices within the league and the implementation of stricter prescribing guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, launched in 2019, plays a crucial role in tracking prescriptions for controlled substances and educating medical staffs about their prescribing habits. The program's data, collected from 2021 and 2022, marked the first two years of standardized and comprehensive data in this centralized electronic medical record system. The committee emphasizes that their efforts are ongoing and aim to further reduce opioid prescriptions in the NFL. The insights gleaned from this program extend beyond the realm of professional football, highlighting the importance of safe and effective pain management strategies across all sports
NFL Pain Management Opioids Nsaids Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Injury Athlete Health Sport Safety
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