Today we discuss the tapering of opioid analgesics. The ultimate goal of opioid tapering, that is to say gradually reducing dosage, is to make the patient feel better. Tapering an opioid has the ability to reduce pain intensity and to improve mood and function. However, there is no single tapering strategy to fit all patients. The longer the patient has been on opioids, the longer the tapering process should be. The 2017 Canadian Opioid Guidelines recommend 5-10% every 2-4 weeks as a reasonable rate for chronic pain patients.