The ability of clinicians to keep patients in check has proven to be a challenge, especially with concerns regarding the legitimacy and physical functions affecting overall pain management in patients with an addiction problem.
There exists a contentious debate surrounding the pain management in individuals who have a history of addiction problems. The advent of this deliberation may be attributed to the fact clinicians are often in a dilemma especially in the application of chronic opioid therapy (COT) and the interactions with substance use disorders (SUDs) (Kaasalainen et al., 2007). Moreover, studies propose behavioural symptomatology of chronic pain and addiction are interrelated such that if one disorder is left untreated, the efficacy of treatment in the other is virtually impossible. In essence, the incomplete comprehension this unique interaction coupled with the inadequate management of both conditions culminated in the under-treatment of pain and untimely discharge of SUD patients from pain treatment. Consequently, in a bid to realize optimal physical functionality and pain relief, both conditions ought to be considered for treatment. The proper management of pain in the population of patients with SUDs is critical since poor management may result in dire consequences such as compromised medical care, relapse to addiction and the likelihood of grace toxicity as a result of mistaken tolerance or drug addictions (Coulter, 2011). The stigma that is associated with addiction also serves to compound on the pain management techniques to be applied to the faction of patients with SUDs. This occurrence may lead to the discontented interaction between an addict and the healthcare system
On the other hand, suggestions have been presented that there are no correct answers when it comes to management of pain. Nonetheless, a convention model that would enable clinicians to address the issue of pain management in SUD patients involves having one clinician prescribe the pain medication; sufficient knowledge in opioid pharmacology and development of a collaborative treatment plan (Sehgal, Manchikanti & Smith, 2012). Moreover, the clinician may employ attitudes such as being empathetic and non-judgemental to addicts in pain therapy including the establishment of effective communication to discuss the underlying risks and to contain distress.
Supporting Points
• The categorization of the level of pain the patient is experiencing aids in determining the dosage of pain medication that is to be administered.
• Administration of pain medication ought to be scheduled as the escalation of pain leads to the requirement of more medication to regulate the discomfort. (Thorn, 2017).
• Structured control of opioid medication access is essential in decreasing chances of opioid addiction including arranging for the distribution of drugs from someone other than the patient (Chou et al., 2009).
References
Coulter, A. (2011). Engaging patients in healthcare. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
Chou, R., Fanciullo, G. J., Fine, P. G., Adler, J. A., Ballantyne, J. C., Davies, P., ... & Gilson, A. M. (2009). Clinical guidelines for the use of chronic opioid therapy in chronic noncancer pain. The Journal of Pain, 10(2), 113-130.
Kaasalainen, S., Coker, E., Dolovich, L., Papaioannou, A., Hadjistavropoulos, T., Emili, A., & Ploeg, J. (2007). Pain management decision making among long-term care physicians and nurses. Western journal of nursing research, 29(5), 561-580.
Sehgal, N., Manchikanti, L., & Smith, H. S. (2012). Prescription opioid abuse in chronic pain: a review of opioid abuse predictors and strategies to curb opioid abuse. Pain physician, 15(3 Suppl), ES67-ES92.
Thorn, B. E. (2017). Cognitive therapy for chronic pain: a step-by-step guide. Guilford Publications.
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