Pain among drug users completing an inpatient detoxification program

We determined the prevalence of persistent pain among illicit drug users who have completed inpatient clonidine detoxification and are returning to the community. We found that 17% of drug users have substantial unexplained pain at discharge, and that drug injectors have significantly more pain than non‐injectors. Drug users with substantial pain reported worse self‐perceived health, interference with daily activities and sleep than pain‐free drug users. Our findings suggest that assessing pain at the first outpatient primary care appointment after drug treatment may be an important aspect of the longitudinal care of this population.

Key words:

• pain
• substance abuse
• detoxification

Notes

Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.

Stanley Street Treatment and Research, Inc., Fall River, Massachusetts.

To whom correspondence should be addressed at Division of General Internal Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael D. Stein

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