Moving Beyond Misuse and Diversion: The Urgent Need to Consider the Role of Iatrogenic Addiction in the Current Opioid Epidemic

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2014.302147
• Publication Date: 2014-10-08T16:34:26Z
• Authors: Gillian A. Beauchamp; Erin L. Winstanley; Shawn A. Ryan; Michael S. Lyons
• Keywords: Prescription Drug Misuse; Opioid-Related Disorders

An epidemic of drug overdose deaths has led to calls for programs and policies limit misuse diversion opioid medications. Any parallel call consider the risk iatrogenic addiction when treating pain been muted in comparison. We have moved beyond questions nonmedical use, abuse, highlight role prescription opioids causing even prescribed used appropriately. Unfortunately, current evidence is insufficient, a rapid expansion longitudinal research urgently needed guide clinicians balancing need with adverse consequences. Meanwhile, medical education should place greater emphasis on abuse liability opioids, providers endeavor attenuate possible.