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Opioid Contracts and Random Drug Testing for People with Chronic Pain — Think Twice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2021

Mark Collen
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Extract

It is common for physicians who prescribe opioids for chronic pain to have their patients sign an opioid contract (OC) in order to receive opioid therapy. A vast majority of these contracts contain a stipulation requiring patients to submit to random drug testing (RDT) which screens for both licit and illicit drugs. Physicians who prescribe opioids may be concerned about prosecution and disciplinary actions; medication abuse and misuse; and addiction. Steven Passik et al. write, “…physicians still fear the risk of abuse or addiction as well as the potential legal consequences of their prescribing.”

Issues surrounding OC/RDT need a closer look with a focus on enforceability and efficacy of the opioid contract; accuracy and complications of drug screens and their interpretation; and the importance of trust between patient and physician. In addition, it is vital to dispel fears with facts regarding prosecutions, nonmedical use of prescription opioids, and addiction.

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Independent
Information
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , Volume 37 , Issue 4 , Winter 2009 , pp. 841 - 845
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 2009

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