Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
Published on: April 14, 2016
[No addiction in pain patients? Questions of a reading physician]
1Klinik für Neurologie, Klinikum Frankfurt (Oder). Mindach@t-online.de
Introduction:
In some recent German textbooks of pain management there is maintained that psychological dependence to opioids in pain patients is not a real problem. The evidence for this statement is reviewed.
Methods:
Reading of the cited literature and additional MEDLINE search.
Results:
Not a single convincing clinical study could be found in the references to proof the claimed absence of addiction in pain patients. The central topics of some papers cited had not been taken into account, other papers have been cited distorting their meaning or overemphasizing their true importance.
Conclusions:
Despite the assertion of the contrary, the maintenance of no addiction in pain patients, especially in noncancer pain, seems to be not yet proven.
Related Concept Videos
Nociception
Drug Dependence
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

