Wednesday April 20, 2016

// April 20th, 2016 // Daily News

This is how much opioid abuse is costing US companies

CNBC.com
Oxycodone pain pills prescribed for a patient with chronic pain lie on display on March 23, 2016 in Norwich, CT.
When it comes to the explosion of opioid abuse in the U.S., large employers are footing a big chunk of the bill.
Nearly one-third of painkiller prescriptions funded by employer plans are being abused, according to a new report from benefits firm Castlight.
Nearly one in twenty workers who have received an opioid prescription, on average 4.5 percent, have demonstrated a pattern of drug abuse, according to the firm’s research. Among baby boomers, the prevalence of abuse is even higher at nearly 7.5 percent.
“We looked at individuals who received more than a cumulative 90 days-worth supply of opioids, and received an opioid prescription from four or more providers over the five-year period,” said Kristin Torres Mowat, senior vice president of plan development and data operations at Castlight.
President Barack Obama answers questions from members of the audience during a community forum at the East End Family Resource Center in Charleston, W.Va., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. Obama is in Charleston to lead a community discussion on prescription drug abuse and heroin epidemic.
Obama wants $1.1B more to fight opioid epidemic
The findings in the new report titled “The Opioid Crisis in America’s Workforce” were based on de-identified data covering nearly one million workers who used Castlight’s benefit platform between 2011 and 2015.
Workers who abuse painkillers account for nearly half of all spending by employers on painkillers, and incur nearly twice as much in medical costs – on average $19,450 – as non-abusers, Mowat said.
Nationally, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, employers are losing $10 billion a year from absenteeism and lost productivity due to opioid abuse.

Today’s Inspiration

Go with the Flow

by Joyce Meyer – posted April 20, 2016

But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
—Psalm 37:11

We can learn to get along with people. It is especially important to learn to get along with our immediate family members and coworkers. There are many informative books about personality differences to help us understand why people feel and act the way they do. Understanding helps to smooth over strained relationships.

People make decisions differently. Some give an immediate answer, while others want time to think about things first. Try to understand the people you will see today. Ask God to show you ways to get along with them. He will give you favor as you trust in Him.

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