What do you give an opiate addict for severe pain?

Opioid Addiction: It depends what kind of pain is being treated and at what level it is being addressed. Body develops tolerance to opoiods so the requirements gradually increase. Usually the dose needs to be ibcreased. Dilaudid ior Oxycontin are strong and last resorts.

Good question.: It depends partly on what is causing the pain and where it is. Lidoderm patches work for some musculoskeletal pain. Some types of severe pain must be treated with narcotic-type medications in certain circumstances. Why do you ask?

Same rules apply: Acute pain is treated in a similar fashion for all patients regardless of addiction history. Regardless of substance abuse history the first principle is to provide effective pain management. When choosing pain medication, the emphasis should be on choosing medications that provide adequate pain relief. Meperidine should be avoided because of its short length of effectiveness.