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Opioid Abuse in Chronic Pain — Misconceptions and Mitigation Strategies

Authors: Nora D. Volkow, M.D., and A. Thomas McLellan, Ph.D.Author Info & Affiliations
Published March 31, 2016
N Engl J Med 2016;374:1253-1263
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1507771

Abstract

The epidemic of opioid abuse is related in part to incomplete understanding of pain-relief management, opioid tolerance, and opioid addiction. Among the prevention strategies are more widespread sharing of data about opioid neuropharmacology and opioid-use patterns.

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Notes

Dr. McLellan reports receiving fees for serving on the board of directors of Indivior Pharmaceuticals. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article at NEJM.org.

Supplementary Material

Supplementary Appendix (nejmra1507771_appendix.pdf)
Disclosure Forms (nejmra1507771_disclosures.pdf)

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