Chronic pain increases the risk for noncompliance with substance use treatment and complicates recovery efforts. An understanding of the alternatives to opioids for the treatment of chronic pain may help treatment court professionals provide more effective assistance to their clients. This fact sheet provides basic information on alternatives to opioids for chronic pain management. It describes:

• Who is most likely to suffer from non-cancer-related chronic pain
• What sufferers themselves can do to manage chronic pain
• How treatment court participants can relieve chronic pain without the use of opioids

Author:

Sandra Lapham, M.D., M.P.H., D.F.A.S.A.M.
Senior Research Scientist, Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation

Date: 2016