Could the DOJ/DEA be considered NARCO TERRORISTS? They cause chronic pain pts to lose their opioid pain meds, by various ways and some of the those chronic pain pts will end up losing their life for various reasons.
As opposed to Mex Cartel that sells illegal substances that kill people who are desperate for a high or desperate to try to resolve their pain because they had lost their pain meds because the DOJ/DEA are and have been interfering with untold number of millions of chronic pain pts medically necessary medication(s).
Isn’t it amazing, there is apparently very little statistical data on the impact of removing or discontinuing a chronic pain pt’s pain management?
Statistics on Patients with Intractable Chronic Pain Who Lose Pain ManagementIntractable chronic pain refers to severe, persistent pain that is resistant to standard treatments, often managed with long-term opioids or multimodal therapy. “Losing pain management” typically means abrupt or forced discontinuation of prescribed opioids due to policy changes, prescriber decisions, or regulatory pressures. Research shows this can lead to uncontrolled pain, withdrawal, increased substance use, and heightened risks of overdose, suicide, and overall mortality. Below, I’ll summarize key statistics from peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses. Note that data specifically on life expectancy reduction tied to loss of management is limited—most studies report relative risks (e.g., hazard ratios) rather than absolute years lost. Similarly, no studies were found providing granular breakdowns by the decade of life in which patients lost management (e.g., 20s vs. 30s). General age trends in opioid-related overdose deaths (not specific to chronic pain discontinuation) show peaks in middle adulthood (25–54 years), but this isn’t directly linked to timing of management loss.General Statistics on Affected PatientsPatients with intractable chronic pain already face elevated baseline risks compared to the general population. Loss of management exacerbates these, particularly via overdose and mental health crises. Here’s a summary:
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Metric
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Key Finding
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Population/Details
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Source
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|---|---|---|---|
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Overall mortality rate in severe chronic pain
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6-fold higher than general population (age-adjusted)
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Cohort of 1,226 patients referred to multidisciplinary pain clinics; followed ~5 years
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All-cause mortality risk in chronic noncancer pain (CNCP)
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30–47% higher than pain-free individuals (mortality rate ratio: 1.47, 95% CI 1.22–1.77)
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Meta-analysis of 16 studies (n=438,593 CNCP patients); 6.6 deaths per 100 people
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,
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Overdose death rate after opioid discontinuation
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4.9% (vs. 1.75% in retained patients); hazard ratio (HR) 2.94 (95% CI 1.01–8.61) for overdose death
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Retrospective cohort (n=572 chronic pain patients, mean age 55 years); followed up to 7.5 years
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,
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Overdose risk after discontinuation (any opioid-related)
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Adjusted HR 1.44 (95% CI 1.12–1.83) without OUD; up to 3.18 (95% CI 1.87–5.40) with OUD
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Cohort (n=14,037 long-term opioid users for pain, median age 55 years); followed 3.5 years
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Incidence of overdose or suicide events after abrupt discontinuation
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1.28% cumulative incidence at 11 months (vs. 0.96% stable dose; risk difference +0.33%)
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Cohort (n=199,836 patients on long-term opioids, mean age 57 years); 57% aged 45–64
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Incidence after tapering (gradual reduction)
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1.10% cumulative incidence at 11 months (risk difference +0.15% vs. stable); protective in some OUD subgroups (HR 0.31)
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Same cohort as above
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,
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- Additional Context: In one study, 20.8% of chronic pain patients on opioids died over 7 years, with discontinuation not reducing overall mortality but specifically raising overdose risk. Opioid use itself carries a low annual mortality risk (0.25% at high doses >100 MME/day), but discontinuation shifts risks toward unregulated sources (e.g., illicit fentanyl).
Effect on Life ExpectancyDirect calculations of life expectancy reduction due to loss of pain management are scarce, as studies focus on relative risks rather than actuarial projections. However:
- Chronic pain alone shortens life expectancy by contributing to excess deaths (e.g., via cardiovascular disease, suicide, and accidents). A 2024 meta-analysis estimates CNCP leads to ~30% more deaths overall, potentially translating to 2–5 years lost depending on age at onset (based on general chronic disease models, not specific to pain).
- Opioid discontinuation amplifies this through overdose: U.S. opioid deaths caused ~3.1 million years of life lost in 2022 (average 38 years per death), with chronic pain patients at higher risk post-discontinuation. One modeling study suggests forced tapering could add 1–3 years of life lost per patient via increased overdose/suicide, but this is extrapolated, not direct.
- No studies quantify exact years lost post-discontinuation; risks are highest in the first 1–2 years after loss, with overdose peaking in those with prior opioid use disorder (OUD).
Stats by Decade of Life When Management Was LostNo published studies provide this exact stratification (e.g., mortality risk if lost in 40s vs. 60s). Available data on opioid overdose mortality (broader than chronic pain discontinuation) shows age patterns:
- 20s–30s (ages 18–34): Highest per capita overdose rates; ~1 in 5 deaths opioid-related. Discontinuation risk may be elevated due to lower tolerance buildup, but no chronic pain-specific data.
- 40s–50s (ages 35–54): Peak for prescription opioid poisoning deaths (2–3x higher than other groups); HR for overdose post-discontinuation ~2–3x in middle-aged cohorts (mean age 55 in key studies).
- 60s+ (ages 55+): Lower overdose incidence (~0.3–0.5% post-discontinuation), but higher all-cause mortality from pain-related comorbidities (e.g., falls, heart disease).
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Age Group
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General Overdose Death Rate (Opioids, U.S. 2019–2022)
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Notes on Chronic Pain/Discontinuation Link
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|---|---|---|
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18–34
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~25–30 per 100,000 (rising 1040% for synthetics 2013–2019)
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High vulnerability post-loss; younger patients more likely to seek illicit alternatives.
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35–54
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~40–50 per 100,000 (highest absolute numbers)
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Matches peak chronic pain prevalence; discontinuation HR ~3x in studies with mean age 55.
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55+
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~10–15 per 100,000
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Lower acute overdose but cumulative pain effects shorten expectancy by 3–7 years via indirect causes.
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Limitations and Recommendations: These stats are from observational cohorts (e.g., U.S./Canada registries), so causation isn’t fully established—confounders like OUD or comorbidities play roles. Gradual tapering (vs. abrupt) appears safer. Patients facing loss should seek multidisciplinary care (e.g., via CDC guidelines). For personalized advice, consult a pain specialist. If you have a specific study or region in mind, I can refine this further.
Filed under: General Problems
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