Pain Management in Opioid Users

ABSTRACT Chronic pain remains a significant public health concern in the United States, contributing to disability, reduced quality of life, and over-reliance on traditional opioids. Amid the opioid epidemic, healthcare systems are increasingly seeking safer alternatives to conventional opioid prescribing. (NIDA, 2023).This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to evaluate nursing knowledge on the implementation of buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) as a pain management strategy in adult patients with chronic opioid use. The project was conducted in an inner-city Subacute Nursing facility with a population of adult patients experiencing long-term pain who were either opioid-tolerant or at high risk for opioid-related complications. By improving nurse competence and confidence, the initiative aims to support safer opioid prescribing practices and improve outcomes for patients with complex pain needs. The findings support Suboxone as a viable and safer alternative for chronic pain management, especially in populations at risk for opioid misuse. This project reinforces the role of advanced practice nurses in leading innovative, evidence-based interventions to address complex public health challenges through safe prescribing practices and interprofessional collaboration. Keywords: chronic pain, buprenorphine/naloxone, opioid use disorder, pain management, nursing education, advanced practice nursing, safe opioid prescribing, opioid-tolerant patients, interprofessional collaboration, subacute care settings