Cancer Pain – Opioids Addiction

Transcript

Does taking opioids for pain relief mean that the patient will get addicted? Taking opioids for pain relief does not mean that the patient will necessarily get addicted. Patient may be physiologically dependent on opioids. However, opioid addiction becomes an issue when patients are not compliant or they’re taking more opioids than prescribed or obtaining them illegally. There are many protocols that physicians monitor while prescribing opioids. And the ultimate goal is to treat patients with pain in a compliant manner that will allow them to wean off opioids per the treatment plan.