Opioids have been used routinely for the management of acute pain related to trauma and surgery in the hospital setting for many years; they are also administered to patients with persistent pain, despite controversy surrounding the potential risks for drug dependency/abuse. Persistent non-cancer pain is a common symptom presenting for consultation in primary care, but the treatment options are limited, and there is a lack of solid evidence and established guidelines as to when and how to use opioid analgesics in this group of patients. Part of the Oxford Pain Management Library, this pocketbook brings clinicians up-to-date on the current use of opioid drugs in patients with non-cancer pain, and highlights the potential benefits of therapy as well as the problems that can occur.