According to a study published in The Journal of Pain, the peer-review journal of the American Pain Society, individuals who take opioid analgesics, who are not dependent or addicted, often have cravings to take more medication. The researchers from Harvard Medical School say that this behavior is not linked to increases in pain intensity or pain levels.

In order to research drug craving, the investigators enrolled 62 patients prescribed opioid analgesic who were at low or high risk for misusing medication. They discovered that there was no clear evidence that craving is a sign of drug addiction, as individuals have reported drug cravings even though they are not addicted.

The study was conducted in order to assess self reports of cravings to conclude if craving is linked to patients wanting to take more medications, preoccupations with the next scheduled dose, as well as mood changes. The researchers believed that reports of cravings would decrease by monitoring patients frequently and motivational counseling.

Each of the study participants were seen on a monthly basis and were asked to fill out electronic diaries. In addition, they received urine drug tests and had contact with their physicians each month.

Results from the study revealed that participants using opioids who were not addicted or dependent, according to accepted measurements, experience drug cravings. In addition, the team found that levels of cravings were slightly connected with current pain levels or average pain over 24 hours.

According to the researchers, craving is a mental experience disassociated from pain itself. Results from the study also revealed that it is common to experience craving with opioid therapy, and that craving may or may not be associated to higher risks for drug misuse and substance abuse disorders.

The team highlight that additional research is required in order to conclude whether craving is a helpful indicator for eventual development of drug dependence or addiction. They state that craving could mirror drug withdrawal in between medication doses.

Written by Grace Rattue