Influence of Abuse History on Concurrent Benzodiazepine and Opioid Use in Chronic Pain Patients
Jennifer Pierce, Stephanie Moser, Afton L. Hassett, Chad M. Brummett, Julie A. Christianson, and Jenna Goesling
The Journal of Pain, Vol 20, No 4 (April), 2019: pp 473−480
Co-use of benzodiazepines and opioids is dangerous. Approximately 16% of opioid users at the Back and Pain Center reported co-use of benzodiazepines. This was more likely among patients with a history of interpersonal trauma (childhood abuse or cumulative [childhood and adulthood] abuse versus those without a history of abuse or those reporting abuse in adulthood only). The probability of benzodiazepine use among patients with a history of cumulative abuse increased sharply at high levels of anxiety. The findings highlight the need for trauma-informed care.
