Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy
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Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy · Jun 2018
ReviewPrinciples for managing OUD related to chronic pain in the Nordic countries based on a structured assessment of current practice.
Long-term use of opioid analgesics (OA) for chronic pain may result in opioid use disorder (OUD). This is associated with adverse outcomes for individuals, families and society. Treatment needs of people with OUD related to chronic pain are different compared to dependence related to use, and also injection, of illicit opioids. In Nordic countries, day-to-day practical advice to assist clinical decision-making is insufficient. ⋯ There is an opportunity to improve outcomes for patients with OUD related to chronic pain by developing and introducing care pathways tailored to specific needs of the population.