Opioid Therapy (OT) for Chronic Pain

Publication Date: February 1, 2017
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Initiation and Continuation of Opioids

a) We recommend against initiation of long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain.
(Strong against)
315659
b) We recommend alternatives to opioid therapy such as selfmanagement strategies and other non-pharmacological treatments.
(Strong for)
315659
c) When pharmacologic therapies are used, we recommend nonopioids over opioids.
(Strong for)
315659

Overview

Title

Opioid Therapy (OT) for Chronic Pain

Authoring Organization

Veterans Health Administration / Department of Defense