The importance of
opiate dependence or abuse is increasing in the context of the increasing number of
cancer survivors and
patients with chronic
cancer pain.
Cancer patients are likely to have psychological disorders such as
depression,
anxiety, and
sleep disturbances. It is important to distinguish these psychological disorders from
opiate dependence or abuse. We
report a case of a
cancer patient with
major depressive disorder who was initially suspected of
opiate dependence or abuse.