Internet Resources on Managing Chronic Nonmalignant Pain With Opioids: The Risks of Addiction

ABSTRACT

Chronic nonmalignant pain affects approximately 20% of the population. Internet resources for management of chronic pain have expanded in response to this growing population of chronic nonmalignant pain patients. As providers, it is necessary that we also are aware of what resources are available, particularly for patients with opioid use and possible addiction. Physicians need to be aware of the factors associated with opioids and take steps to mitigate the risk of abuse by individual patients. Discontinuation of opioid therapy needs to be adequately and appropriately addressed in patients with aberrant behavior and treated. This includes proper screening and monitoring and the use of emerging agents that will effectively control pain and are associated with a lower risk of abuse.

KEYWORDS. :

• addiction
• abuse
• aberrant behavior
• chronic pain
• Internet
• opioid
• pain management