Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsChronic PainAlternatives to OpioidsChronic Pain and Mental HealthLiving With PainFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Chronic Pain
Alternatives to Opioids
Chronic Pain and Mental Health
Living With Pain
Frequently Asked Questions
Opioidsare a type of pain-reliever made from the opium poppy plant that prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. They are frequently prescribed forchronic pain. While they are effective, these drugs are highly addictive.
There is an opioid epidemic in the United States. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), opioid-related overdoses cause more than 130 deaths every day.Fortunately, there are non-opioid alternatives that are effective for managing chronic pain.
This article discusses chronic pain, opioid use, and alternative treatments.
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The Multifaceted Problem With Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is very common and treatment can be challenging. Here are several reasons why.
It Affects Millions of Americans
Pain becomes chronic when it lasts for several months or more. Chronic pain is very common. In fact, as of 2019, more than 20% of the adult population in the United States had chronic pain.It often interferes with daily activities and affects a person’s ability to work.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2019 National Health Information Survey, chronic pain affected women more often than men, becoming more common as people aged. About 30% of people with chronic pain were age 65 or older, and it occurred most frequently in the non-Hispanic White population.
It Can Be Hard to Treat
According to the CDC, about 20% of people who see a healthcare provider for pain will receive a prescription for opioid medication.
Commonly prescribed opioids include:
Opioids Have a Temporary Effect
Opioids temporarily relieve pain but also produce a sense of euphoria. These drugs stimulate the pleasure centers in the brain. When opioids are used repeatedly, such as for chronic pain, the brain builds up a tolerance to the drug and higher doses are needed to have the same effects.
Long-term use of opioids slows the brain’s production of pleasure chemicals.
When opioid use is stopped, it can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, tremors, diarrhea, and muscle cramps. People may then continue to take the drugs to avoid these negative side effects. This leads to a vicious cycle.
Dangers of OpioidsHigh doses of opioids can make it difficult to breathe, especially at night. This can ultimately lead to death.
Dangers of Opioids
High doses of opioids can make it difficult to breathe, especially at night. This can ultimately lead to death.
Non-opioid medications, therapies, and lifestyle behaviors can effectively help manage chronic pain.
Non-Opioid Medications
A variety of non-opioid medications are used to treat chronic pain. Although these medications are generally safer than opioids, they are not entirely without potential side effects.
Examples include:
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy interventions for pain include:
Complementary Treatments
A variety of alternative pain management treatments can also help treat chronic pain. These include:
Choose Safe TreatmentsTalk to your healthcare provider about complementary treatments for your chronic pain. Depending on the cause of your pain, some treatments might not be safe for you.
Choose Safe Treatments
Talk to your healthcare provider about complementary treatments for your chronic pain. Depending on the cause of your pain, some treatments might not be safe for you.
In addition to physical symptoms, chronic pain has a big impact onmental health. It is estimated that up to 50% of people with chronic pain also have depression.Chronic pain can also lead to feelings of hopelessness and poor quality of life.
One type of psychotherapy used to support people with chronic pain isacceptance and commitment therapy(ACT).This approach helps individuals learn to accept that pain (and other negative experiences and emotions) are part of life—not something that needs to be suppressed or that can be eliminated.
ACT also focuses on committing to activities that contribute to life in a positive way, such as through relationships, personal growth, and job duties, despite living with chronic pain.
Tips for Living With Chronic Pain
Summary
Opioids are commonly prescribed medications to treat chronic pain. These drugs are highly addictive, and overprescription and misuse of these medications has led to an opioid crisis in the United States.
A variety of alternative treatments are available for chronic pain, such as non-opioid medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, massage, exercise, and biofeedback. Psychotherapy also helps treat the mental challenges and stress that often occur with chronic pain.
A Word From Verywell
Chronic pain can affect every aspect of your life. The best treatments address the physical, emotional, social, and psychological components of this condition. Talk to your healthcare provider about options other than opioid medications. For additional support, consider joining achronic pain support group.
If you suspect that you might have an opioid addiction, talk to your healthcare provide or contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helplineat 800-662- HELP (4357).
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt’s important to be open with your healthcare provider about your pain symptoms and the effectiveness of your treatment. While stronger medication might not be the answer, there are a variety of complementary treatments available for chronic pain.Opioids are highly addictive, and many healthcare providers are cautious when prescribing these medications, particularly if a person has chronic pain and needs long-term treatment. However, opioid medications can be effective and used safely in the short term for managing pain that does not respond to other types of drugs.The best treatment for chronic pain is with an integrated approach—a mixture of medications (if needed), physical therapy, psychotherapy, and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
It’s important to be open with your healthcare provider about your pain symptoms and the effectiveness of your treatment. While stronger medication might not be the answer, there are a variety of complementary treatments available for chronic pain.
Opioids are highly addictive, and many healthcare providers are cautious when prescribing these medications, particularly if a person has chronic pain and needs long-term treatment. However, opioid medications can be effective and used safely in the short term for managing pain that does not respond to other types of drugs.
The best treatment for chronic pain is with an integrated approach—a mixture of medications (if needed), physical therapy, psychotherapy, and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Health Resources & Services Administration.Opioid crisis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain among U.S. adults, 2019.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain—United States, 2016.Mills SEE, Nicolson KP, Smith BH.Chronic pain: a review of its epidemiology and associated factors in population-based studies.Br J Anaesth. 2019;123(2):e273-e283. doi:10.1016%2Fj.bja.2019.03.023National Library of Medicine.Opioid addiction.Kosten TR, George TP.The neurobiology of opioid dependence: implications for treatment.Sci Pract Perspect. 2002;1(1):13-20. doi:10.1151%2Fspp021113Johns Hopkins Medicine.Opioid addiction.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chronic pain: In depth.Sturgeon JA.Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2014;7:115-124. doi:10.2147%2FPRBM.S44762Dindo L, Van Liew JR, Arch JJ.Acceptance and commitment therapy: a transdiagnostic behavioral intervention for mental health and medical conditions.Neurotherapeutics. 2017;14(3):546-553. doi:10.1007%2Fs13311-017-0521-3American Psychological Association.Coping with chronic pain.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Health Resources & Services Administration.Opioid crisis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain among U.S. adults, 2019.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain—United States, 2016.Mills SEE, Nicolson KP, Smith BH.Chronic pain: a review of its epidemiology and associated factors in population-based studies.Br J Anaesth. 2019;123(2):e273-e283. doi:10.1016%2Fj.bja.2019.03.023National Library of Medicine.Opioid addiction.Kosten TR, George TP.The neurobiology of opioid dependence: implications for treatment.Sci Pract Perspect. 2002;1(1):13-20. doi:10.1151%2Fspp021113Johns Hopkins Medicine.Opioid addiction.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chronic pain: In depth.Sturgeon JA.Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2014;7:115-124. doi:10.2147%2FPRBM.S44762Dindo L, Van Liew JR, Arch JJ.Acceptance and commitment therapy: a transdiagnostic behavioral intervention for mental health and medical conditions.Neurotherapeutics. 2017;14(3):546-553. doi:10.1007%2Fs13311-017-0521-3American Psychological Association.Coping with chronic pain.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Health Resources & Services Administration.Opioid crisis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain among U.S. adults, 2019.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain—United States, 2016.Mills SEE, Nicolson KP, Smith BH.Chronic pain: a review of its epidemiology and associated factors in population-based studies.Br J Anaesth. 2019;123(2):e273-e283. doi:10.1016%2Fj.bja.2019.03.023National Library of Medicine.Opioid addiction.Kosten TR, George TP.The neurobiology of opioid dependence: implications for treatment.Sci Pract Perspect. 2002;1(1):13-20. doi:10.1151%2Fspp021113Johns Hopkins Medicine.Opioid addiction.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chronic pain: In depth.Sturgeon JA.Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2014;7:115-124. doi:10.2147%2FPRBM.S44762Dindo L, Van Liew JR, Arch JJ.Acceptance and commitment therapy: a transdiagnostic behavioral intervention for mental health and medical conditions.Neurotherapeutics. 2017;14(3):546-553. doi:10.1007%2Fs13311-017-0521-3American Psychological Association.Coping with chronic pain.
Health Resources & Services Administration.Opioid crisis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain among U.S. adults, 2019.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain—United States, 2016.
Mills SEE, Nicolson KP, Smith BH.Chronic pain: a review of its epidemiology and associated factors in population-based studies.Br J Anaesth. 2019;123(2):e273-e283. doi:10.1016%2Fj.bja.2019.03.023
National Library of Medicine.Opioid addiction.
Kosten TR, George TP.The neurobiology of opioid dependence: implications for treatment.Sci Pract Perspect. 2002;1(1):13-20. doi:10.1151%2Fspp021113
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Opioid addiction.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chronic pain: In depth.
Sturgeon JA.Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2014;7:115-124. doi:10.2147%2FPRBM.S44762
Dindo L, Van Liew JR, Arch JJ.Acceptance and commitment therapy: a transdiagnostic behavioral intervention for mental health and medical conditions.Neurotherapeutics. 2017;14(3):546-553. doi:10.1007%2Fs13311-017-0521-3
American Psychological Association.Coping with chronic pain.
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