The most recent and comprehensive research does not support any of these myths. It does support the use of a stepped care approach to pain management utilizing less potent analgesics and then increasing to other stronger medications if needed to maintain effective pain control. Individuals with drug addiction are thought to be driven by psychological and social needs for the use of narcotics. The hospice patients need for medication is related to their diseases and their need for effective pain control. If their pain is well controlled they usually have no need or desire for narcotics.
Narcotics can cause sedation for a few days.
Individuals should be advised that this side effect usually passes within a few days and their narcotics should not be discontinued without discussing this side effect with their physician. It is now known that when morphine is prescribed appropriately, with small initial doses and a gradual increase if necessary, breathing difficulties usually are not a problem. Individuals occasionally express that they experience strange or unusual feelings after they start taking morphine. This may be temporary or may not occur at all. For individuals who are allergic to morphine other medications are available.