Fritz JM, et al. - Associations between early care decisions and long-term opioid (LTO) use were assessed among opioid-naïve patients with a new physician consultation for low back pain (LBP) at which an opioid was prescribed. Findings revealed LTO use following a new LBP consultation at which opioids were prescribed to be the predictor of early care decisions. Avoiding concurrent benzodiazepine prescribing and considering other evidence-based pain treatments such as physical therapy early were recommended. This recommendation was particularly for patients at high risk for LTO use or misuse.