The article describes an occurrence of substance dependence during pharmacological treatment of chronic non-malignant pain and deliminates biopsychosocial risks with emphasis on psychosocial contraindications to treatment. The article focuses on the treatment of substance dependence with emphasis on psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It describes CBT assessment, methods for increasing the better understanding of and coping with a relapse, training of skills including cognitive strategies. The author concludes, that as studies reveal, the epidemiology of substance dependence in chronic nonmalignant pain patients is not high measure, but the basic preventive for decreasing dependence is effectively treated chronic pain including psychotherapeutic approaches in pain management.

        Key words: chronic nonmalignant pain - biopsychosocial risks for development of substance dependence - cognitive-behavioral therapy.