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Research Shows NFL Players Rarely Prescribed Opioid Pain Medications
- Recent data emerging from the National Football League (NFL) presents a more optimistic picture regarding the prescription of opioid pain medications among elite athletes.
- An analysis conducted on data from the NFL’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program for 2021 and 2022 reveals that these athletes were substantially less likely to receive opioid prescriptions compared to not only the general U.S. population but also to their male counterparts of similar age.
- Less than 3 percent of the pain medications prescribed to NFL players during the 2021 and 2022 seasons were opioids.
- A significant 86 percent of the medications administered were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, which indicates a shift towards safer, non-opioid alternatives for managing pain.
- The findings reflect a growing awareness and improvement in pain management protocols, including an emphasis on non-pharmacological treatments, which is crucial not only for the athletes currently in the league but may also have implications for pain management strategies across various sports domains.
- During the 2022 season, 2,189 players were prescribed a total of 14,880 pain medications, slightly fewer than the prior year, reinforcing the consistent intent to manage pain more effectively without resorting to opioids.
- The establishment of the NFL’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in 2019 marked a critical step in tracking prescription medications.
- Initiatives spearheaded by the NFL and the NFLPA’s Joint Pain Management Committee underscore a concerted effort to delve deeper into pain management research, exploring alternative treatments beyond medication.
- As research advances, the broader implications could lead to safer practices across all sports and safeguarding the health of athletes both during their careers and beyond.
- The success in curbing opioid usage among athletes serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring other leagues to follow suit in addressing this pressing issue.
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