Millennials less likely to turn to opioids for pain relief & 6 more survey findings

Millennials are half as likely as baby boomers to use opioids for pain relief, a new survey, commissioned by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, shows.

The 10-question survey, conducted in August, includes responses from 1,011 U.S. adults. Of these, 34 percent were millennials, 25 percent were Gen Xers, 35 percent were baby boomers and 6 percent were from the silent generation (aged 72 to 92 years).

Here are six findings:

1. Seventy-five percent of millennials say they have had acute pain, and nearly 60 percent have experienced chronic pain.

2. One in five millennials say they regret using highly addictive painkillers.

3. Millenials are more likely to manage pain through lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating right, quitting smoking and losing weight.

4. Nearly 30 percent of millenials thought it was OK to take an opioid without a prescription, whereas only 20 percent of Gen Xers, 12 percent of baby boomers and 3 percent of the silent generation believed the same.

5. One in 10 millennials obtained opioids through another household member's prescription.

6. However, only 37 percent were aware of the best disposal method, that is, a collection center at a local police station, hospital pharmacy or drug store.

Editor's note: The headline for this article was updated on Sept. 7 at 8:44 a.m.

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