[Retrospective Observational Study on Chemical Coping]

Chemical coping also has an idea that it is an early stage of abuse and dependence of opioids, it is important to grasp the frequency, complaints, and risk factors of chemical coping. In this study, observational research was performed backwardly with 549 people using opioids who were newly requested to the palliative care team. Results revealed that 13 of 549 patients (2.4%)were diagnosed with chemical coping. In terms of a breakdown of the complaint, and it was following rate and reasons, 6 people(46%)felt easy, 2 people(15%)were anxious, 2 people(15%)could sleep, 2 people(15%)had unknown reasons, and 1(8%)was calm. Characteristics of each patient diagnosed with chemical coping included frequent psychiatric symptoms such as life expectancy of 3 months, opioid oral administration period of 1 year or more, disease incidence period of 1 year or more, anxiety, delirium, and depression. One benign disease also confirmed the transition to opioid dependence.