universal precautions for prescribing controlled substances

Factoid• It is AGAINST THE LAW to detoxify a patientaddicted to opioids by using other opioids (unless thereason is to treat a separate medical condition).• Detoxification only treats the physicaldependence, NOT the Addiction• Patients who are detoxified lose their toleranceto respiratory depression• When they resume substance use, they arelikely to die*Heit HA; Dear DEA, Pain Medicine Vol 5 #3, 2004, 303-308