Indications for Stopping Opioid Therapy

Definitive Indications for Stopping Opioid Therapy

No benefit identified (See “Assessing the Benefits of Opioid Therapy“). One does not have to prove diversion or addiction in order to stop opioid therapy.
There is evidence of illegal activity or diversion of medication (e.g. forged or stolen prescription).
Patient exhibits harms from treatment, such as overdose (intentional or unintentional), over-sedation, constipation requiring hospitalization, etc.
Patient cannot keep medications safe (e.g. recurrent stolen medication from family member, recurrent lost medication, etc.).
Patient with active addiction requiring treatment (not stable).
Violent or abusive behaviors toward practice staff or clinicians.
Patient unable or unwilling to comply with monitoring requirements.