opioids and chronic pain: getting off opioids

many of us have patients on large doses of opioids for chronic pain. there are an array of forces pushing us to decrease use of these drugs (the increase in prescription opioid drug-related deaths, the diversion of drugs leading to hospitalization and deaths of others, the increased surveillance by professional societies, insurors, etc). today in the NY times there was a long story of war veterans with severe injuries who got off opioids. not much detail on their support programs, but comments that they actually felt better of the opioids. also comment that 5 years ago, 80% of injured soldiers treated at walter reed hosp in washington were put on opioids. figure now is 10%, with comment that "many patients are benefiting from the change".  see http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/11/business/a-soldiers-war-on-pain.html?hp 

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