title: Chronic pain and addiction: challenging co-occurring disorders.
abstract: Chronic pain is commonly treated by prescribing an opioid medication. For those suffering from both chronic pain and substance dependence, barriers to adequate pain management increase. This often causes both disorders to exacerbate one another. Effective treatment may also be hampered by opioid-induced hyperalgesia, tolerance, physical dependence, "chemical coping," and diminished physical and emotional functioning. This article reviews current research trends, potential problems stemming from prescription opioid use, and suggestions for clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Las Vegas Recovery Center, Las Vegas, NV 89129, USA. mpohl@centralrecovery.com
authors.forename: Mel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.forename: Logan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004644:Emotions; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012651:Self Medication; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid