There has been an escalation of therapeutic use and abuse of opioids. Aberrant drug related behaviors (ADRB) have prevalence between 2.8% and 62.2% in chronic pain patients treated with opioids and dependence is estimated around 3.27%.

To estimate the prevalence of dependence, ADRB, risk of opioid abuse, and co-occurring disorders in patients with chronic pain in our environment.

A total of 115 (n = 115) patients attending our pain clinic were screened to evaluate the risk of opioid abuse and presence of dependence including a clinical interview, hamilton depression scale (HAD), opioid risk tool (ORT), diagnostic criteria for substance abuse and dependence (DSM IV-TR) and a checklist of ADRB.

Among the patients, 78.26% were taking opioids, aberrant opioid related behaviors were detected in 20% and 8.9% met criteria for abuse or dependence; 11.3% had high risk and 20% moderate risk of opioid abuse (ORT). The most prevalent substance use disorders were sedative (11.3%) and alcohol (5.2%). There was a significant difference in means (t = -3.20 P < 0.005) in ORT scores between patients with current opiod dependence (x = 7.70 [s.d. = 3.07]) and without it (x = 2.88 [s.d = 3.58]); 30.4% had anxiety, 20% depression and 3.5% adjustment disorders; 57.5% and 48.3% had a score > 10 on anxiety and depression respectively on the HAD.

A systematic screening of risk of opioid abuse and of dependence as well as psychotherapy to treat comorbid psychopathology should be part of the treatment protocol.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.