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- Driving and Opioids
It is important that when you first start opioid medications or have a change in the dose of your medication that you avoid driving an automobile or operate potentially dangerous equipment. This is for your own safety as well as to protect other persons. Until your body becomes accustomed to the opioids you may feel sleepy, less alert, and have slower reaction times, which can result in serious accidents. It is important to remember that you may have poorer ability to drive or perform other tasks that require attention and skill even if you do not feel sleepy or otherwise different. Depending upon your state of residence, it may be illegal for you to drive at all even when you take a medically recommended dose of prescription painkillers. As laws can change over time please consult with your state government‘s website to understand the laws governing driving while on prescription medications, such as opioid therapy. It is your responsibility to be up-to- date on the DEA, state and federal regulations and guidelines and lack of knowledge is not accepted as an excuse by government agencies. It is ALWAYS illegal to drive while impaired by any substance including opioids and benzodiazepines in ALL states. Currently as of 2013 there are 15 states in which driving with any amount of an impairing drug, include prescription opioids, is illegal: Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. Keep in mind that even if you didn’t take your painkiller that day, you likely still have remnants of the opioids in your bloodstream. The presence of such metabolites in your body could lead to a driving or operating while intoxicated charge in these states, according to the NIDA. Check your state government website for further details and regulations. California also has some particularly strict laws when it comes to “drugged driving,” according to the unofficial DMV Guide. The law does not distinguish between illegal drugs, opioid prescription drugs, alcohol and even over-the-counter remedies. Even driving after taking an over-the-counter medication, that causes drowsiness, could result in a driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge if the police officer feels you are impaired, even if you have a legal prescription. Always error on the side of safety and use caution with any medication, especially opioids when driving. Please note it is illegal and unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery while impaired.
- Section 1
Welcome to the online Opioid Safety Course, part of the Online Chronic Pain Education and Prevention Program. Opioid therapy when used safely can be a very important part of a patient’s treatment plan for chronic non-terminal pain. That being said, opioid medications and medications similar to opioids in the wrong hands and when misused can have deadly consequences. Knowledge is power and this course was designed to educate not only patients, but the community and referring physicians alike on the facts and opinions behind opioid therapy. The lack of knowledge about these medications and their appropriate use has often led to a deadly outcome. When used appropriately they can often help restore one's quality of life and function. The following course will cover a wide range of issues surrounding these medications and it is important that you complete it fully. There is an optional section after the course that I recommended you read as well. In order to establish that you have understood the information, you will be given a set of questions to answer. Upon completion of the course, you will also be given a printable “Certification of Completion”. We recommend you provide a copy of this certification to your primary care physician and the physician prescribing your opioid medications.. The benefit to patients who use these drugs correctly can be tremendous. Therefore, it is vital that we understand and develop better and safer practices to protect both the patients and the community from the misuse of these medications or they will no longer be available in the future. As a community let us learn to USE the medications appropriately and not ABUSE them. You will notice a lot of repeated information on this website which was done intentionally to stress the importance of critical information.