Pain, the Opioid Epidemic, and Depression

Long-term prescription opioid use occurs in a substantial proportion of new opioid users. Most concerning is that high risk patients with comorbid depression, anxiety, nicotine dependence, and substance use disorders, compared to patients without these factors, continue to be prescribed higher opioid doses for longer durations, and are more likely to receive opioids with high abuse potential. To understand this phenomenon, we must consider the relationships between pain, mental illness, sub...