Sports Medicine Broadcast

Sports Medicine Broadcast


Opioid Abuse in Athletics – 580

September 11, 2019

Ever experienced Opioid Abuse?

Dr. Obie Benavides lost a student-athlete to opioid abuse that was an inspiration to him.

One single pill that was not from a pharmacy but a “friend” was all it took to end his life in March of 2018.

Dr. Benavides has spoken at conferences and guest posted on The ATVantage and NATA blogs

What Opioid Abuse?

Opioids / Opiates are similar but not identical.

Opioids are synthetic chemicals whereas opiates are plant-based or naturally occurring from opium

Using them other than as prescribed is opioid abuse.

* Using them for longer than prescribed* Giving them to someone else* Hoarding them for later use* Selling them

What does it LOOK like?

Obie says some of the signs and symptoms of opioid abuse might present as:

* Pupils being off* Constipation* Nausea* Requestion medication by name and dosage* Being absent* withdrawing* Itching* Dry Mouth* Low Tetosterone levels

What can we do as Athletic Trainers?

Patient Education is number one.

* Develop a Post-op Pain Management Plan* There will be some level of pain* Medications will help manage the pain* Use pills as needed for this surgery* Properly dispose of unused pills* Do not share unused pills with anyone* Start the dialogue with the athlete before the surgery* Involve the parents* Educate Parents* Establish Real Pain Management Goals* Monitor the athletes* Attend surgeries when possible* Log the procedure and medications prescribed* Follow up within a week and document number of times meds have been used

Be willing to have uncomfortable conversations

ATsCare is a great resource for learning to have uncomfortable conversations.

Be willing to ask questions.

Watch the conversation live on Facebook

Opioid Abuse in AthleticsDr. Obie Benevides lost an athlete to opioid abuse. He has presented research at th enational level to help get information out about the problem.Here he shares his story and what he has learned.Join us to provide a better environment for your athletes.Share your experience with us (just remember HIPAA).Posted by Sports Medicine Broadcast on Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Resources

ATsCare (https://www.nata.org/membership/about-membership/member-resources/ats-care),

The Drug Enforcement Agency website (https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/)

Contact Us

Obie Benavides, DAT, LAT, ATC, AIB-VR/CONAssociate Athletic Trainer – BaseballDrug Prevention & Education CoordinatorLamar University211 Red Bird Lane | PO Box 10066 | Beaumont, TX 77710O: 409-880-7229F: 409-880-2366

Jeremy Jackson