New research examines the spiritual, psychological and other under-appreciated effects of opioids on patients with sickle cell disease

Researchers sought to shed light on the biopsychosocial and spiritual effects of taking prescribed opioids to treat noncancer pain. Such questions have received little examination and impact the challenging decision of when and how to use opioids, the study authors said. They found that taking opioids had many and diverse consequences for patients in terms of biological, psychological, social and spiritual functioning.