Living with opioids: A qualitative study with patients with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Background

Opioids are one of the most prescribed treatments for chronic pain (CP). However, their long‐term use (>3 months) has been surrounded by controversy, due to loss of beneficial effects.

Objective

To explore the experiences of people with chronic non‐malignant low back pain in Spain undergoing long‐term treatment with opioids.

Design

Qualitative study.

Setting and participants

We conducted 15 semi‐structured interviews at the Pain Clinic with persons taking opioid treatment.

Methods

The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis as described by Graneheim and Lundman, and developed categories and themes discussed in light of a biomedicalization framework.

Main results

We developed one overarching theme— Living with opioids: dependence and autonomy while seeking relief—and three categories: The long pathway to opioids due to the invisibility of pain; Opioids: from blind date to a long‐term relationship ; and What opioids cannot fix.

Discussion

The long and difficult road to find effective treatments was a fundamental part of coping with pain, involving long‐term relationships with the health system. This study reflects the benefits, and drawbacks of opioids, along with struggles to maintain autonomy and make decisions while undergoing long‐term treatment with opioids. The paper also highlights the consequences of pain in the economy, family and social life of patients.

Conclusions

Patients' experiences should be considered to a greater extent by health‐care professionals when giving information about opioids and setting treatment goals. Greater consideration of the social determinants of health that affect CP experiences might lead to more effective solutions to CP.