Chronic low back pain linked to higher rates of illicit drug use

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-07/wkh-clb072116.php

Public Release: 21-Jul-2016
Chronic low back pain linked to higher rates of illicit drug use
Wolters Kluwer Health

People living with chronic low back pain (cLBP) are more likely to use illicit drugs -- including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine -- compared to those without back pain, reports a study in Spine, published by Wolters Kluwer.

In addition, cLBP patients with a history of illicit drug use are more likely to have a current prescription for opioid analgesic (pain-relieving) drugs, according to the new research by Dr. Anna Shmagel of University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and colleagues. While it's not clear which direction the association runs, the patterns of illicit drug use may have implications for decisions about prescribing opioids for patients with back pain.

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tags: drug use, drug abuse