Webster and Webster reported the Opioid Risk Score for identifying a pain patient's risk of aberrant behavior with opioids. Aberrant behavior may take many forms. The authors are from Lifetree Pain Clinic in Salt Lake City.
Patient selection: patient at a pain clinic
Aberrant behaviors related to substance abuse:
(1) used other opioids in addition to those prescribed
(2) admitted to seeking euphoria from opioids
(3) admitted wanting opioids for anxiety
(4) injected drugs
(5) abnormal urine or blood test for substance abuse
(6) solicited opioids from other providers
(7) concurrent alcohol abuse
(8) unauthorized dose escalation
(9) abuse of prescription drug
(10) third party required to manage the patient's medications
(11) overdose
Aberrant behaviors related to prescriptions:
(1) forged prescription
(2) sold prescription
(3) reported a prescription lost or stolen
(4) requested early refills
Aberrant behaviors related to clinic:
(1) canceled clinic visit
(2) requested refills instead of clinic visit
(3) discharged from practice
(4) no show or no follow-up
Other aberrant behaviors:
(1) unauthorized ER visits
(2) resisted therapy change or an alternative therapy
Additional behaviors not listed:
(1) stolen a prescription
