The significant increase in opioid painkiller use in Ireland likely stems from a failing health system rather than irresponsible prescribing practices, according to a leading addiction counselor responding to new data showing alarming prescription trends.
Michael Guerin, an addiction specialist, emphasized that opioid painkillers are “not being given out like smarties” by medical professionals, but warned that a 50% increase in oxycodone prescriptions will inevitably lead to more addiction cases presenting to treatment services.
The surge in opioid use follows a period when the healthcare system was severely compromised during the pandemic, with elective surgeries suspended for nearly two years and hospital capacity redirected to COVID-19 patients. This created a backlog that continues to affect patient care today.
“The root cause of this increase is most likely a failing health system exacerbated by a period of time of nearly two years during the pandemic where no elective surgeries were done,” Guerin explained, highlighting how patients with chronic pain are left waiting years for necessary procedures like joint replacements.
A recent study involving UCC academics found that Irish people use significantly more pain medication than patients in England, with long orthopaedic waiting lists forcing patients to rely on powerful painkillers for extended periods.
Guerin stressed that GPs face an ethical dilemma when treating patients with chronic pain who cannot access timely surgical intervention. “The doctor has a moral and human responsibility to alleviate that suffering,” he said, while acknowledging the addiction risks.
The counselor warned that prolonged opioid use inevitably leads to physical dependence, with some patients potentially graduating to stronger substances or supplementing with over-the-counter opioids, which can cause severe damage to internal organs when taken in high volumes.