Opioids, pain and addiction – practical strategies

Summary points 1. Addiction can occur with the repeated exposure of a biogenetically predisposed person to an addictive substance or behaviour. 2. In the patient with pain on opioid therapy, use the ‘4 Cs’ to diagnose addiction. 3. Screening and risk stratification of all patients considered for opioid therapy is a key element of ‘universal precautions’ in pain management. 4. There …