Chronic pain and prescription opioid abuse are extremely prevalent both in this country and
worldwide. Consequences of opioid misuse can be life-threatening with significant morbidity
and mortality, exacting a heavy toll on patients, physicians, and society. Individuals with
chronic pain and co-occurring substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders, are
at a higher risk for misuse of prescribed opioids. Opioid abuse and misuse occurs for a
variety of reasons, including self-medication, use for reward, compulsive use because of …

Chronic pain and prescription opioid abuse are extremely prevalent in the United States and
worldwide. The consequences of opioid misuse can be life-threatening with significant
morbidity and mortality, exacting a heavy toll on patients, physicians, and society. The risk
for misuse of prescribed opioids is much higher in patients with chronic pain, especially
those with concurrent substance use and/or mental health disorders. Several reasons can
account for the occurrence of opioid abuse and misuse, including self-medication, use for …