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Question of the Day


The euphoric, psychoactive properties of opioids and other controlled substances give these medications both a relatively high monetary value when illegally sold and a high potential for abuse. Not all patients prescribed opioids will, however, divert or abuse. What are some of the factors predictive of future opioid abuse?

The Federation of State Medical Boards put forth in a policy statement on the use of opioids in chronic pain management that there is no universally accepted, 100% accurate tool to predict which patients will abuse opioids. The highest risk patients, however, are those with a co-morbid psychiatric disorder or addiction. These patients may abuse opioids despite their concerted attempts to adhere to an agreed upon treatment plan.-- Authored by R. Jason Yong, MD MBA, Mohammed A. Issa, MD, Chris Abrecht, MD, Ehren Nelson, MD