Opioids Blamed for Side-Effects of Chronic Pain

Opioids Blamed for Consequences of Chronic Pain – National Pain Report – 2/23/2017

I’ve noticed a trend in the proliferating numbers of studies ostensibly investigating the damaging effects of opioid therapy:

whatever the negative outcome,
researchers correlate or attribute it
to the opioid medications instead of the underlying pain.

I have been scientifically inclined since childhood and believe there’s always a reason for how scientific studies are designed, but in this case, I’m flummoxed. I hope someone with a better understanding of current research protocols can explain away this apparent design flaw I’ve detailed in my article and restore my faith in the NIH and its research.