The identification of the disease of addiction is important to safe and effective clinical management of pain in persons with addictive disorders. The disease of addiction affects approximately 10% of the general population, and its prevalence may be higher in subpopulations of patients with pain. The presence of active addiction may facilitate the experience of pain. Both active and recovering...

Misunderstandings regarding the nature and occurrence of addiction have historically been barriers to the appropriate treatment of pain and have stigmatized the medical use of opioids. This article reviews the evolution of nomenclature related to addiction, presents current scientific understanding of addiction that may help shape universally acceptable terminology, and discusses an integrated ...

AIMS To describe important non-biological factors which influence the course of opiate addiction. METHOD Studies were reviewed that present empirical results on the long-term course of opiate addiction, progress of opiate addicts during and after treatment, variables that predict remission and abstinence, comparisons of treated and untreated samples, and recovery from opiate addiction without...

All editorial matter in CMAJ represents the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Can adian Medical Association. A lcohol use disorders, defined as clinic­ ally significant impairment or distress from the use of alcohol, are common in Canadian society. 1 In addition, 15% to 20% of Canadians who do not meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder drink more than what is recom...