Definition

Use of a prescription medication in a manner that violates expectations for responsible drug use. May be applied to verbal responses or actions. Occur on a continuum from relatively mild (e.g. unsanctioned dose escalation on one or two occasions) to severe (e.g. injecting oral formulations). Must be assessed to determine appropriate diagnosis (e.g. addiction, pseudoaddiction, other psychiatric disorder, etc).

Cancer Pain, Evaluation of Relevant Comorbidities and Impact