Pain-Free Or Addicted? U-M's $3.6M Mission To Fix Opioid Prescribing

The University of Michigan secures a major federal grant to explore post-surgery pain relief methods for opioid-dependent patients, aiming to reduce complications.

Michigan Researchers Lead Groundbreaking Opioid Pain Study

The University of Michigan has been awarded a $3.6 million federal grant to lead a critical study on post-surgical pain management in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). The five-year study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), seeks to address the complexities of managing pain in individuals with OUD—people who are at heightened risk of opioid-related harms following surgical procedures.

Leading the project is Mark Bicket, associate professor of anesthesiology, who emphasized the importance of directly engaging with those affected by opioid use disorder. “We must listen to individuals with opioid use disorder directly to understand how to best approach solutions and strategies for their care,” Bicket stated. The study aims to develop better post-surgery guidelines that consider both pain management and the need to prevent opioid misuse.

The National Crisis: Opioid Use Disorder and Surgery

With an estimated 2.5 million Americans grappling with opioid use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the study couldn’t be more timely. Those living with OUD face significant challenges managing acute pain, particularly during the vulnerable post-surgical period, when opioids are most commonly prescribed.

However, as Bicket notes, “There is little evidence to guide post-surgery pain management for individuals with opioid use disorder.” This research intends to close that knowledge gap by analyzing patient data from hospitals across Michigan to craft targeted care guidelines.

New Guidelines Target Opioid-Related Harms

Key components of the study include gathering post-surgical pain data from patients undergoing common surgeries and documenting their opioid use. The ultimate goal is to adapt existing prescribing guidelines to reduce opioid-related harms while ensuring adequate pain relief for this high-risk population. The research will also assess care plans that integrate elements such as overdose prevention, peer recovery coaching, and pain management recommendations.

Jennifer Waljee, a co-investigator and associate professor at the U-M Medical School, stressed the broader implications of the study. “As clinicians, it is our responsibility to provide patients with the best care possible, so understanding the relationship between post-surgical opioid prescribing and those with opioid use disorder is critical.”

Both Bicket and Waljee serve as executive directors at U-M’s Opioid Research Institute, where they lead the Overdose Prevention Engagement Network, positioning them at the forefront of opioid-related research.

The Broader Picture of America’s Opioid Epidemic

The issue of opioid use disorder is part of a larger, nationwide epidemic that has devastated communities across the U.S. The crisis has been exacerbated by over-prescription of painkillers, leading to widespread misuse and addiction. Research initiatives like this one are essential in tackling the opioid epidemic at its root—improving clinical care to prevent addiction from deepening or recurring.

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Pain-Free or Addicted? U-M’s $3.6M Mission to Fix Opioid Prescribing