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Opioid Prescribing Rates Peaked In The United States In 2012. Although Opioid Prescribing In The U.s. Has Moderated Somewhat, The Peak Of Prescribing Left A Legacy Of Patients Struggling With Opioid Dependence. Worse Still, There Is Little Doubt That The Prescription Opioid Epidemic Continues To Contribute To Subsequent Waves Of The U.s. Opioid Epidemic Involving Heroin And Later Fentanyl. Much Attention Is Currently Focused On The 4th Wave Of The Opioid Epidemic, Characterized By Fentanyl And Polydrug Abuse. However, Minimal Progress Has Been Made In Reducing Prescription Opioid Overdose Deaths. Since 2016 The Prevalence Of Annual Drug Overdoses Involving Prescription Opioids Has Remained Stable, With 15,000 To 17,000 Overdose Deaths Per Year Attributed To Prescription Opioids. More Than 140 Million Opioid Prescriptions Were Written In 2020 Which Is Sufficient To Provide A Prescription To 70% Of The Adult, U.s. Population. Unfortunately, Patients With Psychiatric Disorders Who Are At Risk For Poor Outcomes, Such As Opioid Misuse, Receive More Than 50% Of These Prescriptions. The Prescription Opioid Epidemic Continues To Disproportionately Impact Patients With Comorbid Pain And Mental Illness-- Provided By Publisher.