The NeuroMedical Center | Patient Education Library | Understanding Opioids
The NeuroMedical Center's Chronic Pain & Opioid Medication Policy
Pain Management specialists at The NeuroMedical Center take a comprehensive approach to treating chronic pain utilizing a wide variety of interventions including medications, injections, and physical therapy. Our physicians explore all available non-surgical treatment options including anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, interventional pain management procedures and non-opioid medications to help our patients overcome chronic pain.
Our goal is to safely reduce opioid usage while insuring our patients continue to improve and experience better quality of life. Many of our patients live with chronic, neurological disorders. Others suffered physical trauma and are on a long road to recovery. Our physicians recognize the delicate nature of opioid therapies and take pride in the appropriate usage and prescription of such medications. Although our physicians do incorporate opioid therapy in the treatment of some conditions and patients, opioids are never considered first-line therapy for chronic pain here at The NeuroMedical Center. While we aim to serve as many patients as possible, we utilize a structured process for our new patients to prevent common “doctor shopping.”
Screening Process
Before physicians at The NeuroMedical Center prescribe opioid pain medications for a patient, the individual must undergo an extensive screening process which includes:
- A full review of the patient’s medical records & diagnostic workup
- Obtaining records from the State of Louisiana that details all controlled substances prescribed to the patient within the past year
- A urine drug screen
Annual Requirements
As part of an opioid treatment regimen, patients prescribed opioids must meet all annual requirements:
- Random urine sample
- Signed controlled substance agreement
Safe Prescribing Practices
As a destination for patients seeking relief from chronic pain, The NeuroMedical Center is committed to safe and effective opioid prescribing practices. Our physicians:
- Abide by restrictions limiting the dosages and durations of narcotic prescriptions in accordance with the latest research and federal recommendations
- Require contractual agreements with any pain management patient outlining rigorous compliance standards
- Have a zero tolerance policy for opioid misuse and abuse
Opioid Abuse Identifiers
The NeuroMedical Center obtains reports from the State of Louisiana that can help identify common signs of opiate abuse. For example, State registries notify our physicians if prescriptions are being filled at multiple pharmacies or if patients are using multiple names. All NMC pain management patients that receive opioid therapies must be seen by their Pain Management specialist a minimum of once every three months.
Failure to comply with any of The NeuroMedical Center’s Opiod Medication policies will result in dismissal of the patient from any NeuroMedical Center Pain physician.
Learn More About Opioids
Opioids are a class of powerful drugs. They can control severe pain. Although physicians at The NeuroMedical Center do incorporate opioid therapy in the treatment of some conditions and patients, opioids are never considered first-line therapy for chronic pain. Patient education is one of the foundations of high-quality pain care. View the links to learn more about the risks and responsibilities associated with opioid usage.
