Primary Care Pain and Opioid Monitoring Program

Chronic pain and opioid use have become topics of importance as opioid overdose deaths have risen to epidemic proportions throughout the nation. Chronic pain lasts for long periods of time, and can be caused by a past injury or arise without a known cause. Opioids have largely been utilized to treat pain in the past, but it has been discovered that opioids are better used to treat acute pain and not chronic pain. Opioids can have negative consequences including changes to the brain, depression, increased pain, constipation, sedation, and even death. There are many evidence-based alternatives to opioids available, but often, the general public doesn\u27t know what or where they are. The Primary Care Pain and Opioid Monitoring Program (PC-POP) was created to enlighten and address these issues in rural, at-risk, undeserved communities. This program has united available resources in communities, provided resources for veterans and the general community, and emphasized the need for community-based opioid education. As a result of these efforts, over 115 implementation materials have been created as this program was developed, including marketing materials, standard operation procedures, and means of evaluation and measurement. These materials increase program exportability into other rural communities, and makes exportation generalizable and customizable

Cognitive Behavioral Therapies for the Management of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than six months and may continue even after illnesses or injuries have healed (Cleveland Clinic, 2017). Pain signals in the nervous system can remain active for several years if they are altered in the spinal cord, becoming stronger than they normally would or should be (Reichling & Levine, 2009). Chronic pain can also occur without illness or injury (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2019). Fortunately, many evidence-based strategies for managing chronic pain are available to ease the discomfort. This fact sheet reviews those strategies

Evidence-Based Alternative Pain Management Techniques for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain and opioid use have become topics of importance as opioid overdose deaths have risen to epidemic proportions throughout the nation. Chronic pain lasts for long periods of time and can be caused by a past injury or have no known cause. Opioids have been utilized to treat pain in the past, but it has been discovered that opioids are better used to treat acute pain and not chronic pain. Opioids can have negative consequences including changes to the brain, depression, increased pain, constipation, sedation, and even death. This fact sheet reviews and explains some of the most successful evidence-based non-opioid methods to manage chronic pain. The methods discussed include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Yoga, Tai Chi, and Mindfulness

Diet, Nutrition, and Substance Use Disorder

Consuming a healthy diet can benefit everyone—especially individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), a disorder that occurs when frequent use of drugs or alcohol causes impairment, health issues, and difficulties with managing daily responsibilities (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2020). Although often overlooked, nutrition can play a key role in the treatment and recovery process for individuals with SUD, and should be included as part of a holistic approach toward recovery. In this fact sheet we will review how diet and nutrition are impacted during an active addiction, and the influence nutrition can have on treatment and recovery. This fact sheet also includes tips to use when advocating for integrating nutrition interventions into SUD treatment and recovery