DEAs Role in Pain Management

Question:

I have chronic pain and my doctor here agrees that I need mild daily pain medications (Vicodin). I have not abused the medication and use the same 2 pills a day that I used 4 years ago. It allows me to pursue the activities I love-mainly attending my grandchildren’s activities. My doctor makes a face whenever I come in and says he is afraid of the DEA.

Doctor's Response:

Some ideas are hard to overcome but the DEA is not concerned with individual physicians practicing legitimate medicine and prescribing pain medications if there is a legitimate need for them which is documented in writing in the chart. They are on the lookout for diversion and illegal prescribing for purposes that are not legitimate. The number of prosecutions each year is infinitesimal compared to the number of prescribing physicians. That being said, you might seek a pain clinic in your area. A list of these pain clinics is on our website but must not be considered an endorsement of any one of them.