Diagnosing and Treating Opioid Dependence
The surge in opioid abuse highlights the importance of questioning patients about their use of prescription analgesics—and knowing when and how to intervene.
Regular monitoring, urine drug screens, and random pill counts, in which patients are typically given 24 hours to bring in their prescribed medication so it can be counted, can also help keep patients on track. Treatment for concurrent psychiatric disorders—depression, anxiety, and personality disorders are common among patients with opioid dependence—is also likely to improve treatment outcomes.
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