When a patient starts opioid therapy for chronic pain, s/he signs an agreement with the physician to abide by certain rules. Failure to abide by these rules can result in discontinuation of the opioid therapy.
Violations that will result in termination of opioid therapy:
(1) taking more pain medication than what is prescribed
(2) refusal to undergo urine or blood drug testing, including adulteration of specimens
(3) negative drug test performed for monitoring compliance
(4) taking a pain medication that was not prescribed for the patient
(5) use of illegal drugs
(6) getting pain medications from more than one prescriber or pharmacy without notifying the clinician
(7) giving or selling medications to someone else
(8) disruptive or threatening behavior to clinical staff
where:
• A negative drug test for compliance assumes that the test ordered is capable of detecting the prescribed opioid.
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