A Handy Guide to Educate Physicians on Rational Use of Opioids for Chronic Pain

Abstract

is not an overuse of figures, tables, or specialty jargon. Many of the most notable basic and clinical researchers who are on the forefront of work in these areas contributed chapters to this book. I was particularly taken by the chapter on opioids and the treatment of chronic pain written by Bennett, Squire, and Brookoff. In it, they raise important questions such as: What are clinicians trying to treat with opioids? What is it about opioids that makes them abusable? To what extent do opioids promote abuse behaviors? Given the rapidly evolving nature of these fields, some of the chapters are already dated. There are recently developed screening tools for risk of substance abuse that were not included in this volume. There is also some redundancy between chapters. Readers of this journal may be disappointed to find less attention to issues of cancer pain management than to noncancer pain. Overall, however, this is an extremely valuable book packed with practical information that will be consulted by pain clinicians, addiction specialists, and researchers. It is clearly intended as a reference book to enlighten the owner on specific topics of interest. It comes very highly recommended, and I have placed it within easy reach on my office bookshelf.