Patient selection is invariably important as Dr Goldstein implies. Physicians need to do their assessments with vigor and this would lead to less pt. selection errors.
Frederick J Goldstein, PhD, FCP - 5 years ago
As a medical scientist engaged in clinical studies for decades to improve analgesia in post-op, chronic pain and cancer pts, I know that addiction is not created by opioids. Psychological (including stress), familial and cultural conditions -- and to a small degree genetics -- are major reasons that propel a person from a normal pt into one with a substance use disorder.
If opioid molecules were the primary reason then everyone who received such drugs would be converted into abnormal user. Same point with ethanol; about 10% who consume it become alcoholics. If this serious medical condition was caused only by EtOH, then everyone who has a drink would become an alcoholic.
Patient selection is invariably important as Dr Goldstein implies. Physicians need to do their assessments with vigor and this would lead to less pt. selection errors.
As a medical scientist engaged in clinical studies for decades to improve analgesia in post-op, chronic pain and cancer pts, I know that addiction is not created by opioids. Psychological (including stress), familial and cultural conditions -- and to a small degree genetics -- are major reasons that propel a person from a normal pt into one with a substance use disorder.
If opioid molecules were the primary reason then everyone who received such drugs would be converted into abnormal user. Same point with ethanol; about 10% who consume it become alcoholics. If this serious medical condition was caused only by EtOH, then everyone who has a drink would become an alcoholic.