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Long-Term Opioid Use Drops 24% Amid Changing Prescriptions

4/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Between 2015 and 2023, long-term opioid therapy declined from 5.6 million to 4.2 million (a 24.3% drop).
The average age rose from 52.5 to 60.5 years.
Medicare coverage rose to 48.7%.
Co-prescribing shifted: benzodiazepines fell from 43.8% to 33.5%, while gabapentinoids rose from 47% to 58.7%.
Nearly 11% of opioid users remained on long-term therapy, underscoring the need for safer prescribing and better pain management.

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Story summary

Between 2015 and 2023, long-term opioid therapy declined from 5.6 million to 4.2 million (a 24.3% drop).
The average age rose from 52.5 to 60.5 years.
Medicare coverage rose to 48.7%.
Co-prescribing shifted: benzodiazepines fell from 43.8% to 33.5%, while gabapentinoids rose from 47% to 58.7%.
Nearly 11% of opioid users remained on long-term therapy, underscoring the need for safer prescribing and better pain management.