The dynamics of pain treatment in opioid addicted patients
Nkenganyi N'Mandela, Atabong; Amadi, Chibuike; Forbin, Marilyn (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202604217218
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202604217218
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this study is to explore the current practices in pain management for opioid-addicted patients, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, and to assess the effectiveness and safety of various pain management strategies in patients with a history of opioid use disorder.
The significance of this study includes improving patient outcomes by identifying effective pain management strategies that minimize the risk of relapse and enhancing the quality of care for opioid-addicted patients. It is hoped that the research could influence policy decisions regarding opioid prescribing guidelines, addiction treatment protocols, and pain management standards. It will also contribute to knowledge by filling gaps in the current understanding of the interplay between pain and addiction, offering new insights that could lead to more integrated and effective treatment approaches.
This study is approached from a qualitative literature method, and an inductive content analysis approach has been used to analyze data. The data used was sourced from electronic databases, and only evidence-based scholarly articles (<10 years) relevant to the research problems were selected.
The findings show that pain management in individuals with opioid use disorder requires a balanced and individualized approach. Although opioids may still be needed in some cases, their use comes with such risks as overdose, misuse, and relapse, which require careful monitoring. Non-opioid medications, multimodal analgesia, and non-pharmacological methods remain underused despite the benefits in reducing harm. Stigma, bias, and social inequalities strongly influence treatment decisions and can lead to undertreated pain. To sum up, the thesis concludes that a patient-centered, multidisciplinary strategy supported by clear communication and evidence-based guidelines is essential for providing effective and safe pain management for opioid-addicted patients.
The significance of this study includes improving patient outcomes by identifying effective pain management strategies that minimize the risk of relapse and enhancing the quality of care for opioid-addicted patients. It is hoped that the research could influence policy decisions regarding opioid prescribing guidelines, addiction treatment protocols, and pain management standards. It will also contribute to knowledge by filling gaps in the current understanding of the interplay between pain and addiction, offering new insights that could lead to more integrated and effective treatment approaches.
This study is approached from a qualitative literature method, and an inductive content analysis approach has been used to analyze data. The data used was sourced from electronic databases, and only evidence-based scholarly articles (<10 years) relevant to the research problems were selected.
The findings show that pain management in individuals with opioid use disorder requires a balanced and individualized approach. Although opioids may still be needed in some cases, their use comes with such risks as overdose, misuse, and relapse, which require careful monitoring. Non-opioid medications, multimodal analgesia, and non-pharmacological methods remain underused despite the benefits in reducing harm. Stigma, bias, and social inequalities strongly influence treatment decisions and can lead to undertreated pain. To sum up, the thesis concludes that a patient-centered, multidisciplinary strategy supported by clear communication and evidence-based guidelines is essential for providing effective and safe pain management for opioid-addicted patients.