BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although opioids are useful to treat chronic non-oncologic pain, there are caveats, especially due to abuse and dependence. This study aimed at reviewing the use of opioids in chronic non-oncologic pain. CONTENTS: Definitions of tolerance, abuse and dependence, the incidence of opioid use and dependence in chronic pain patients, risk factors, dependence signs, strategies to decrease risk and pain treatment in dependent patients were described. CONCLUSION: Both diagnosis and treatment of opioid-dependent patients may be difficult. However, pain cannot be subtracted and the physician must be aware of changes indicating abuse. So, the medical understanding about opioids dependence has to be accurate to allow for better management.
Chronic pain; Dependence; Opioids; Pain management