Persistent pain is associated with substance use after detoxification: a prospective cohort analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that persistent pain is associated with an increased odds of substance use after detoxification.


METHODS
Analysis of data from a prospective cohort enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to improve linkage with primary medical care.


METHODS
An urban residential detoxification program.


METHODS
Adults (n = 397) enrolled in the RCT with heroin, alcohol or cocaine as a substance of choice and at least one follow-up interview.


METHODS
The key independent variable was pain status: persistent pain (moderate to very severe pain at all available interviews), no pain (mild pain or less at all available interviews) and intermittent pain (all others). There were four outcomes of interest: self-reported use of any substance; heroin/opioid use; heavy alcohol use; and cocaine use 24 months after detoxification. Multivariable logistic regression controlled for several covariates including demographics, physical/sexual abuse, depressive symptoms, duration of follow-up and addiction severity at study entry.


RESULTS
Pain in detoxification patients was common; 16% had persistent pain and 54% had intermittent pain. Persistent pain was associated with an increased odds for use of any substance [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-9.3], heroin/opioid use (AOR 5.4, 95% CI 2.1-13.8) and heavy alcohol use (AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0-4.5) at the 24-month follow-up. A statistically non-significant increase in the odds of cocaine use (AOR 2.0, 95% CI 0.9-4.6) was also observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Among individuals leaving residential detoxification, chronic pain is a common problem and is associated independently with long-term substance use after detoxification. Addressing pain as a treatable chronic condition among adults receiving detoxification presents a potential opportunity to improve long-term clinical outcomes and warrants further intervention research.
Larson
Mary Jo
MJ
New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA 02472, USA. mjlarson@neriscience.com
Paasche-Orlow
Michael
M
Cheng
Debbie M
DM
Lloyd-Travaglini
Christine
C
Saitz
Richard
R
Samet
Jeffrey H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D012114:Residential Treatment / Q000379:methods; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome