Are pain management doctors held accountable if a patient becomes addicted to use of a drug?

See below: Addiction is a risk when using various pain medications. In our office before we start any medication i explain to the patient that there is a risk of addiction with these medications. The range of addiction is somewhere between 8-20% of patients with addiction risk in those with previous addiction problems perhaps greater than 70%. Every patient needs to understand this.

Good question: Addiction is a psychological disorder and many patients who become addicted are predisposed to that state. Medications are take at their own risk. There should be an informed consent with a patient along with education prior to starting opioid therapy. Unfortunately many pain providers may not do this. No one has to take pain medications. These medications are taken electively.