Alcohol consumption and opioid craving among chronic pain patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy.

Background: Concurrent use of alcohol with opioids is common among chronic pain patients, heightening the risk for disordered opioid use and overdose, yet the relationship between alcohol consumption and opioid craving among chronic pain patients remains largely unexplored. Here we examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and opioid craving among chronic pain patients on long-term opioid therapy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 335 chronic pain patients on long-term opioid therapy.