Awareness of substance abuse in orthopedic patients: a survey of orthopedic surgeons.

We surveyed 178 orthopedic physicians in the Washington, DC, area to ascertain the effect on patient care of previous education in the area of drug and alcohol issues. The return rate was 75%. Of the respondents, 99% were male, average age was 46.7 years (+/- 9.3), and average number of years in practice was 15.2 (+/- 9.6). A majority of respondents indicated that they did not have training in the abuse potential of analgesics (92 [69%]), characteristics of benzodiazepine abuse (77 [58%]), or when to seek the assistance of an addiction medicine specialist for patients with chronic pain (106 [80%]). Only 41 (31%) of the orthopedists indicated that they inquire about alcohol and drug use before prescribing opiates for more than a week. We offer suggestions for self-education for interested physicians.