Pain and alcohol use have a bidirectional relationship. Consistent with laboratory evidence demonstrating acute analgesic effects of alcohol intake and that pain increases motivation to use alcohol and intensity of alcohol use, people with alcohol use disorder are at elevated risk for chronic pain and vice versa. In this session, we review current literature regarding mechanisms underlying the reciprocal association between alcohol and pain and discuss clinical implications.
Learning Objectives:
Learners will be able to:
Evaluate the bidirectional relationship between unhealthy alcohol use and chronic pain.
