Amy is right, it is not his past drinking that would cause him to need higher doses of pain medication it's that his condition has gone to another phase of treatment now that's he's on hospice. The cancer is causing the need for more pain medication.

Hospice staff understand the difference between an acute injury that will get better and a terminal condition. They will not judge him for past behavior. Also they have special training on pain management and they are used to dealing with titrating the dose upward and/or changing medication to ensure that pain is controlled. I have found that most of our patients have some fear about being in pain. It's very common.

He may not be able to process the answers he is getting right now but it's very positive that he is sharing his fears and communicating. As he sees that his pain will be responded to appropriately he will probably let that go. In the meantime it sounds as if you are getting good support as well from the hospice team and that's important too.

Please continue to let us know how you are doing.
Regards JoAnne