RT Journal
A1 Sullivan M, Ballantyne J
T1 CLinician identification of appropriate long-term opioid therapy candidacy—reply
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2012
FD July 23
VO 172
IS 14
SP 1110
OP 1114
DO 10.1001/archinternmed.2012.2565
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2012.2565
AB 
We know of no studies that have examined the effects of long-term opioid treatment in employed samples. It is true that employed individuals have maintained a minimum of function despite chronic pain. They may have more flexible or less physically demanding employment, or they may have more rewarding jobs. Any rewards associated with continued function will tend to counteract any functional impairment associated with long-term opioid therapy. One recent study suggested that age and unemployment predicted opioid misuse in a small, mixed sample.1