As pain science evolves, new insights have the potential to help those affected by both conditions
Chronic pain and addiction bear such similar characteristics, the relationship is helping shape research underway on campus that is turning chronic pain treatment on its head. Fueled by the scale of the chronic pain issue and problems that continue to unfold with one of its most-common therapies - opioid medications - the two lead scientists are focusing on where they believe chronic pain comes from: the brain.
"It begins with being stigmatized, not being believed that their pain and suffering is real, and often being ignored by our healthcare system," Joseph Frank, MD, MPH, an associate professor of medicine and co-director of the Pain Science Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said of similarities for patients with chronic pain and addiction.
"Beyond the social aspects, chronic pain also overlaps with the same pathways in the brain that drive depression, anxiety, and addiction," said Yoni Ashar, PhD, assistant professor of internal medicine and co-director of the Pain Science Program.
Historically, pain medications - such as opioids - have been a default option in treating chronic pain, but they require careful use due to their risks, especially for patients who have a substance use disorder. Moreover, recent research shows opioids can make chronic pain worse, potentially leading patients and their healthcare providers to escalate their dosage to try to dampen their pain.
