Prescription drugs: Implications for the chronic pain patient

Abstract

Addiction is a neurobehavioral syndrome characterized by the repeated use or compulsive seeking of mood-altering substances despite the adverse psychological, physical, or social consequences associated with doing so. It is not limited to illicit substances and many prescription medications used today have the potential to cause tolerance, physical dependence, and result in withdrawal when the agent is removed. Misuse of prescription drugs has been defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as “any intentional use of a medication with intoxicating properties outside of a physician's prescription for a bona fide medical condition.” There are significant issues specific to the chronic pain patient.