How addictive are opioid medications?
About four percent of people who take opioids for chronic pain will become addicted to them. Because addictive behaviors are difficult to control, addicted people are at high risk for drug overdose. Patients who become addicted to opioids generally show the following behaviors: • Impaired control over drug use • Compulsive use • Continued use despite physical, mental or social harm • Craving It is important to note that most people who take opioids for pain will not become addicted. Those who do will need treatment for addiction. Another risk factor for overdose could be sleep apnea. Patients at risk for sleep apnea should be evaluated before they are prescribed opioids. The addition of a Valium-like medication together with opioids appears to produce a greater risk of life-threatening sleep apnea.
