The Impact of Provider Communication on Prescription Opioid Use: A Case Report

Over the past few decades, prescription opioids have greatly impacted our society, providing much needed relief for those in severe pain while simultaneously leading many to develop opioid use disorder. Although the scientific community has made great progress in combating this epidemic, there is still much work to be done. Physicians play a crucial role in this fight, as they are the ones in direct contact with patients. Proper and thorough communication is absolutely necessary when treating patients who are prescribed opioids. In this piece, we describe the case of a 62-year-old woman who experienced debilitating, cyclic opioid withdrawals after years of inappropriate prescription opioid use and how much of her suffering could have been avoided. Her case highlights the importance of patient-provider communication and the willingness of many patients to discontinue opioids.