Dispositional mindfulness and prescription opioid misuse among chronic pain patients: Craving and attention to positive information as mediating mechanisms

Long-term exposure to prescription opioids during chronic pain treatment may lead to misuse and addiction by inducing neuroplastic changes in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system (Volkow et al., 2016). Recent estimates suggest that nearly 25% of chronic pain patients are at risk for developing opioid misusing behaviors such as dose escalation and self-medication of negative affect with opioids (Vowles et al., 2015). These opioid misuse behaviors are associated with myriad negative outcomes, including loss of functioning in major life domains, disrupted interpersonal relationships, physiological dependence, addiction, and accidental overdoses (Atluri et al., 2014; Birnbaum et al., 2011; Martell et al., 2007).

Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence - May 3, 2018 Category: Addiction Authors: Sarah E. Priddy, Adam W. Hanley, Michael R. Riquino, Keith A. Platt, Anne K. Baker, Eric L. Garland Tags: Full length article Source Type: research