Withdrawal Syndrome After Stopping Opioids Is Not Evidence of Drug Dependence, WHO Committee Says

VANCOUVER, BC-Drug dependence is not physical dependence alone,nor is it the same as drug tolerance. "Drug dependence isprimarily psychological dependence, or compulsive use of drugsfor their mood-altering effects and continued use despite harm,"David E. Joranson, MSSW, said at the WHO workshop on cancer pain.

The WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence recently clarifiedthat a cancer patient who has been receiving opioids for painand who stops the drug would go through a withdrawal syndromeas evidence of physical dependence, but that individual is notconsidered to be drug dependent.

"Physical dependence by itself is no longer sufficient todefine drug dependence or addiction," Mr. Joranson said."It is important for us to teach this and to clear up themythology about the relationship between opioid analgesia andaddiction."