A discussion about prescribing and deprescribing opioids

Opioid prescribing and harm continue to rise in Australia. Find out when to avoid opioids altogether, how to deprescribe opioids, and how to manage difficult conversations with colleagues and consumers.

Dr Chris Hayes is a specialist pain medicine physician at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, NSW, and Director of Hunter Integrated Pain Service.

Dr Damien Zilm is a rural GP and practice co-owner in Meekatharra, Western Australia, holding fellowship with both FRACGP and FACRRM.

[Cuinn]

The suicide rate among pain sufferers in the U.S. has gone way up. Also, there is an astronomical number of former pain patients (and patients whose medication was seriously reduced) buying their opioid pain relief on the Black Market. These people say that they would rather risk death than live in unrelieved severe pain.

[dave_oz]

These guidelines are the reason why I can't get sufficient pain relief anymore. Been bounced around different clinics, trialled on random anti convulsant drugs, anti depressants and all kinds of stuff despite opiates always working for me. Doctors who have not personally struggled with debilitating chronic pain have no idea how damaging this singular message is.

When did the quality of life for the patient go out the window?

[KiKi]

Great go for the tried and true all patients on LTOT are addicts. Come on come up with some new ideas. Dependence is NOT