Chronic pain is a complex condition that can significantly affect mental well-being, leading to issues such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Evidence indicates that medications are often overused in managing chronic pain, with a significant increase in opioid prescriptions observed in Australia over the past three decades. However, research shows that for most individuals with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), opioids do not provide clinically meaningful improvements in pain relief or overall function (TGA, 2025).
Medical guidelines advocate for a multifaceted approach to treating CNCP. This approach recommends that non-pharmacological therapies be prioritised as the first-line treatment, while opioid prescriptions should be considered only as a second-line option after exploring other therapies.
Opioids are intended for short-term use, typically a few days, to manage acute pain. Long-term use of opioids for chronic pain is generally discouraged due to the risk of side effects and the potential for addiction. Extended use of prescription opioids can lead to various health issues, including loss of libido, sexual dysfunction, infertility, muscle weakness, fluid retention, osteoporosis, fractures, endocrine abnormalities, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysregulation, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, opioid toxicity, and an increased risk of overdose.
Chronic pain is a complex condition that can significantly affect mental well-being, leading to issues such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Evidence indicates that medications are often overused in managing chronic pain, with a significant increase in opioid prescriptions observed in Australia over the past three decades. However, research shows that for most individuals with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), opioids do not provide clinically meaningful improvements in pain relief or overall function (TGA, 2025).
Medical guidelines advocate for a multifaceted approach to treating CNCP. This approach recommends that non-pharmacological therapies be prioritised as the first-line treatment, while opioid prescriptions should be considered only as a second-line option after exploring other therapies.
Opioids are intended for short-term use, typically a few days, to manage acute pain. Long-term use of opioids for chronic pain is generally discouraged due to the risk of side effects and the potential for addiction. Extended use of prescription opioids can lead to various health issues, including loss of libido, sexual dysfunction, infertility, muscle weakness, fluid retention, osteoporosis, fractures, endocrine abnormalities, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysregulation, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, opioid toxicity, and an increased risk of overdose.
