Opiophobia
Fear of Opioid Prescriptions
Opiophobia refers to the irrational fear of opioid pain medications. This fear, fueled by widespread concerns about addiction and overdose, has led to a significant undertreatment of pain in many patients. Opiophobia can manifest in various ways, from reluctance to prescribe opioids by healthcare providers to patients' own anxieties about experiencing side effects or becoming addicted. This phenomenon has serious implications for patient care, as it can leave individuals suffering from chronic or acute pain without adequate relief.