Research showed that patients were reported to have been noncompliant with their medication in more that what was expected. Over a half million people on opioid therapy and the results taken were from nearly 1 million urine drug screens of those within the treatment. What was most interesting was those people that did not have detectable levels of the drug in their system. Next their was of course those that had at least 20% more of the drug in their system, then their was the group that had approximately 10% had less than what was prescribed, a little over 10% had street drugs come up in the test as well. Over 25% had drugs that the doctor was unaware.
This is the importance of continued doctor patient appointments and discussion about pain levels so the patient will not feel that they will be left to suffer. Also it is important to discuss addiction vs dependence. If addiction is an issue then the patient and doctor can then create a contract or treatment plan that will for the good of recovery and rehabilitation
