While most people who take prescription opioids will not develop addiction, patients and their families should be advised of the risks and alternatives whenever these medications are prescribed. Those in recovery face increased risk of relapse and overdose when prescribed opioids, and risks also arise from the potential for unused medicine to be diverted and misused by others.

Many remain unaware of the addictive potential of opioids and of alternative treatment options. Health care providers miss an opportunity to educate their patients and help them make an informed choice when they fail to discuss the risks and alternative treatment options when prescribing opioids.

Ask your Representative to cosponsor the Opioid Patients’ Right to Know Act, which would incentivize states to require prescribers to discuss the addictive qualities of opioids and alternative treatment options prior to prescribing opioids for acute pain.

People and families struggling with substance use and addiction encounter a variety of systemic challenges throughout their journey, which is why we created a new section of our website called "Help Us Change the Story of Addiction." The site features personal stories that bring these structural barriers to life, including Elaine’s story about not receiving information about the addiction risks of opioids when her son was prescribed them following surgery. Each story offers visitors an opportunity to advocate for policy change by signing an action alert or by sharing similar stories from their own journey.

Let’s change the story of addiction today.