The British journal of surgery
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The growing problem of opioid misuse has become a serious crisis in many countries. The role of trauma as a gateway to opioid use is currently not determined. The study was undertaken to assess whether traumatic injury might be associated with chronic opioid use and accompanying increased long-term mortality. ⋯ Traumatic injury was associated with chronic opioid use. These patients have an excess risk of death in the 6-18 months after trauma.