Pain is one of the most common reasons for patients to seek medical attention and one of the most prevalent medical complaints in the US;^1,2 Patients with active addictive disorder or a substance abuse history are at increased risk of receiving inadequate pain management, with fear of exacerbating addiction by using opioid medications, lack of knowledge about addiction, physician barriers including inadequate training in pain management and addiction medicine, and fear of regulatory sanctions contributing to undertreatment.³ Consequently, healthcare professionals need to develop the skills to evaluate and manage pain in patients with addictive disorders.

Topics covered in this module

• Important considerations in managing pain in patients with substance abuse concerns
• Strategies for assessing pain
• Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management options for patients with substance abuse concerns

The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Non physicians may receive a certificate of participation for completing this activity.

The development of this CME web program was supported through an independent educational grant from Purdue Pharma L.P.

Release date, September 2007. Expiration date, December 2009.

Illustration Copyright © 2007 Scott Bodell
Bodell Communications, Inc.

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