Impact of Opioid Toxicity on Workplace Productivity

Opioids are derived from opiates they include also synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs. Opioids have both recreational and medical uses. Opioid abuse is a worldwide problem with numerous and increasing mortality due to overdose. Opioids act on the opiate receptors as a potent mu receptor agonist resulting in a complex intracellular signals leading to dopamine release causing euphoria, and pain signal blocking. In cases of overdose, there is an excessive effect on respiratory center, resulting in respiratory depression and eventually death. Opioids can lower the perception of pain and in some cases decrease the pain stimulus. Stimulation of opiate receptors results in suppression of pain sensation. Opioids have an extremely wide diversity of durations of action, the intensity and quality of response to opioids can vary significantly between patients. Diagnosis of acute opioid toxicity is mainly clinically and naloxone is the cornerstone of therapy. Opioid addiction traditional treatment includes setting of counseling and mentorship besides drug treatment. Opioid prescription for pain management can have a major impact on future development of opioid use disorder but with careful monitoring and patient education about the potential opioid toxicity and risk of addiction to overcome addiction or overdose development. Opioid addiction has deep impact on workforce productivity in the form of increased absenteeism rate, decreased productive hours and higher rate of work place injuries that lead to economic burden. Our aim is studying the approach for preventing drug abuse and supporting drug users to get their lives back on track and boost workforce productivity.