Essentials: Pain and Addiction-Event Handout

Event Handout

Pdf Summary

This document discusses the considerations in prescribing opioids for pain management and treating patients with opioid use disorder. It highlights the prevalence of chronic pain and the opioid epidemic in the U.S. It also emphasizes the importance of assessing risk and addressing the harms of opioid use.<br /><br />A case presentation is provided, illustrating a patient with chronic pain who has been on long-term opioid therapy. The document discusses the rationale for using nonopioid medications and alternative treatments for chronic pain before considering opioids. It also presents the evidence for the efficacy of opioids in treating chronic pain and the potential risks associated with their long-term use.<br /><br />The document emphasizes the importance of assessing patients for opioid use disorder and provides various tools for risk assessment. It discusses the role of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial treatments in managing patients with pain and opioid use disorder. It also highlights the importance of utilizing prescription drug monitoring programs and urine drug testing to monitor patients on long-term opioid therapy.<br /><br />The document includes information on the use of buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone for medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder. It discusses the perioperative care of patients on medication-assisted treatment and provides recommendations for managing pain in these patients.<br /><br />Psychosocial treatments, including psychosocial needs assessment, counseling, and referrals to community services, are also recommended in conjunction with pharmacological treatment for opioid use disorder.<br /><br />The document concludes with the importance of naloxone availability and training in opioid overdose prevention. It suggests the use of naloxone rescue kits and discusses the treatment options for patients dependent on opioids who require acute or surgical pain management.<br /><br />Overall, the document provides a comprehensive overview of the considerations and recommendations for safer prescribing of opioids and pain management in patients with opioid use disorder.

Keywords

opioids

pain management

opioid use disorder

chronic pain

risk assessment

alternative treatments

pharmacotherapy

medication-assisted treatment

naloxone availability

safer prescribing