Dependence on Analgesics in Chronic Non-cancer Pain

The long-term use of opioid analgesics for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain exposes patients to the risk of developing drug dependence on these psychoactive drugs with loss of control of their use. In general medicine as well as in algology consultation, the identification of an addiction to opioid analgesics (and even misuse as a gateway to addiction) have thus become strong recommendations for the purpose of improving the management of the patients. However, the success of the patient's clinical management, in terms of analgesia and treatment of drug dependence, rests on the acceptance of this management by the patient himself.

The discrepancy between the assessment of drug dependence on analgesic drugs by the algologist and the perception that the patient has of this dependence will be investigated through a multicentre cross-sectional descriptive survey performed in pain treatment centres in France.

In addition to opioid analgesics, other pharmacological classes used for analgesic use will be investigated as they are concerned with the development of drug dependence. This is particularly the case for gabapentins.

Inclusion criteria

• suffering from chronic non-cancer pain,
• taking at least one analgesic medication

Exclusion criteria

• Patient minor or major protected by the law (under tutelage),
• Patient with chronic pain of cancerous origin,
• Opposition of the patient to be included in the study,
• Patient not having the overall skills to complete a self-questionnaire: major difficulties in understanding the French language and / or reading / writing difficulties.