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Abstract: 

The “CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain—United States, 2016” were intended to provide recommendations for primary care clinicians who are prescribing opioids for chronic pain outside of active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care. This article contains the full text of the CDC’s supporting “Background and Rationale” for undertaking the development of the guidelines: it surveys the public health issues raised by the increasing use of opioids, growth that has far outpaced the rate of growth of the underlying diseases, and the increasing levels of addiction and criminal misuses of opioids. The complete guidelines are available from the CDC in html at no charge at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6501e1.htm. Subscribers to Correctional Health Care Report can access the “Background and Rationale” here at no charge by clicking “Open This Article” and providing log in credentials. Non-subscribers can access the “Background and Rationale” for a $7 courtesy service fee.

Keywords: Opioid misuse; addiction; appropriate use; alternatives to opioids

Affiliations:  1: Centers for Disease Control; 2: Centers for Disease Control; 3: Centers for Disease Control.