Lakeview Health Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Session Description: Pain is common in addictive disorders. It is important to address ongoing chronic pain in recovery as this can be a trigger for relapse. There are many different types of pain, with different manifestations. Additionally, chronic pain is more complex than on which the Cartesian model our current medical model is based. Chronic pain is now considered a disease state with multiple inputs creating neurosignatures or maps of pain in the brain.
Pain has roots in the same neurochemical and neurobiologic pathways as addiction does in the brain. Hence, both disorders can co-exist and exacerbate each other. Treatment for chronic pain should include approaching chronic pain from multiple angles, in an effort to reduce the alarm system in the body and brain that is constantly going off during chronic pain. Treatment strategies to aid with chronic pain and maintain sobriety should include non-narcotic pain medications, mindfulness, movement, psychotherapy
Learning Objectives:
After this activity participants should be able to
List the epidemiology of pain and addiction
Define the history of pain theory and the different types of pain
Describe how to assess and treat chronic pain in the face of addiction