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.