Pain management in the addicted patient: Practical considerations

Pain management in the addicted patient is always a challenge, whether the patient has cancer, human immunodeficiency virus, or chronic nonmalignant pain. The purpose of this article is to clarify terminology, discuss assessment of addicted patients with pain, dispel myths and misconceptions, and address specific issues surrounding pain management in the addicted patient. Treatment issues specific to patients in recovery, active substance users, and patients on methadone will be discussed.