Acute pain and opioid seeking behaviour.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Acute pain is a common presentation associated with opioid seeking behaviour.

OBJECTIVE:

This case study provides a practical approach for general practitioners seeing patients with acute pain whom they suspect of seeking opioids because of dependence.

DISCUSSION:

Acute pain commonly presents as an emergency appointment 'squeezed in' between booked appointments. General practitioners have to make a rapid assessment of the possible underlying causes, relieve pain, and establish a plan for further investigation and management. Furthermore, some opioid dependent people can and do effectively feign acute pain in order to obtain opioid medication.

• Authors: Moira G Sim, Gary K Hulse, Eric Khong
• Journal: Australian family physician (Aust Fam Physician) Vol. 33 Issue 12 Pg. 1009-12 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 0300-8495 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 15630923 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Analgesics, Opioid (therapeutic use)
• Behavior, Addictive (diagnosis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Family Practice (methods, standards)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Opioid-Related Disorders (diagnosis, therapy)
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Practice Guidelines as Topic