Avoiding Opioid Abuse While Managing Pain: A Guide for Practitioners

Prescription opioids are dangerous in the hands of drug abusers, but they are also beneficial or even lifesaving for millions of people who otherwise would live with chronic pain. Clinicians who prescribe opioids are often caught between their professional obligation to relieve suffering and their desire to avoid contributing to the nonmedical consumption of controlled substances.

Lynn Webster, MD, lectures widely on the subject of preventing opioid abuse and criminal diversion in chronic pain patients. Dr. Webster is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management and is certified in addiction medicine. In his private practice, he treats chronic pain patients, many of whom have complex diagnoses. He also treats opioid-addicted patients.

Medical writer and researcher Beth Dove works full time with Dr. Webster. Her technical writing has appeared in Pain Management, the Journal of Opioid Management, Practical Pain, and many other publications and textbook chapters.