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Benefits of Psychotherapy for Chronic Pain

Using Psychotherapy for Pain Management
 

Also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy is a form of treatment that involves talking to a trained mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor, to address emotional, mental, and behavioral issues. Psychotherapy is meant to help clients improve their overall well-being by addressing problems related to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and developing strategies to overcome and cope with these issues. Our Southern California rehab offers psychotherapy for chronic pain to support clients in addiction recovery who may be struggling with pain caused by withdrawal or another underlying problem.

What Is Pain Management Psychotherapy?

Traditionally, physical pain is treated with opioids. When someone is recovering from surgery, they may be given painkillers to take for the next few days, or if someone suffers from chronic pain, they may be prescribed opioids.

Unfortunately, although they are given out by doctors, prescription opioids can also be abused. Some evidence suggests that between 12 and 29% of patients given prescription opioids for chronic pain will misuse these medications. Even worse, 8 to 12% will become addicted to them.1 Although there are prescription drug detox and treatment programs, not everyone is willing to get help, and this addiction can quickly spiral out of control.

Instead of relying solely on opioids, some doctors are turning to psychotherapy for pain relief in patients. Although we typically think of chronic pain as a strictly physical phenomenon, it also has psychological components.

Because of these psychological factors, effective treatment may require psychological healing as well. One study found that psychological interventions for chronic pain in older adults led to reduced pain, fewer catastrophizing beliefs about the pain, and a better ability to manage the pain on their own.2

Along with using psychotherapy for chronic pain relief, talk therapy may also be effective in reducing the use of opioid medications for other injuries. A new study exposed post-surgery patients to psychotherapy with a chatbot. These patients were at risk of dependence on opioids because of the large number of medications they were prescribed.

They found that the patients who engaged in the psychotherapy with the chatbot decreased their opioid medication usage by more than a third compared to the group who did not receive psychotherapy.3 This new data on psychotherapy for pain management may help reduce the number of people who abuse prescription opioids and could be a key factor in combating the opioid epidemic.

Instead of just focusing on getting people who are already addicted into opioid addiction treatment, psychotherapy could do more for prevention. While prescription opioids may still be necessary for the treatment of some pain, psychotherapy could be an effective addition to treatment that could improve pain management.

In some cases, it may even be an effective alternative. Especially for patients who have gone through an opioid detox in the past and are now sober, prescription painkillers may not be a viable option for their recovery. Instead, psychotherapy and other alternatives to opioids could be a better choice.

Benefits of Psychotherapy for Pain

It’s common for people to experience emotional and mental distress when they’re in pain, including feelings of anger, sadness, hopelessness, and despair. Pain can negatively impact your personality, sleep, job, and relationships.

As we previously mentioned, while it’s common to take medication like opioids for chronic pain, individuals who have undergone opioid addiction treatment and are in recovery could be triggered by using these substances. What’s more, many people who have undergone addiction treatment struggle with a dependence on medications they were originally prescribed for pain but then began abusing.

This is where psychological therapy for pain management comes in. Our psychological treatment provides safe, non-medicated methods to address pain by focusing more on the mind and its impact on the body. Below are some benefits of psychotherapy for chronic pain to consider if you’re struggling:

  • Developing coping skills: Chronic pain can be overwhelming and make daily life challenging. Working with a psychotherapist can help you develop coping skills to better manage your pain, including relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy strategies.
  • Addressing underlying issues: Sometimes chronic pain can be related to mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety. Psychotherapy addresses these underlying issues and works through them in a safe and supportive environment.
  • Improved quality of life: Chronic pain can impact both your mental state and your well-being, making it difficult to engage in activities you usually would enjoy and maintain healthy relationships. However, psychotherapy can help you learn to manage your pain more effectively, which can improve your overall quality of life.
  • Reduced reliance on medication: Many people with chronic pain rely on medication to manage their symptoms, but psychotherapy can be an effective alternative form of care that’s more natural and supports abstinence from drugs. By utilizing psychotherapy for chronic pain, you may also be able to reduce your dependence on medication, even if you aren’t recovering from addiction.

Overall, psychotherapy can be an essential part of a comprehensive treatment plan for chronic pain. It can help you manage your symptoms, improve your quality of life, and even sustain your sobriety long-term.

Psychotherapy for Addiction at Banyan

At our Banyan Palm Springs rehab, we offer psychotherapy addiction services, including CBT and DBT, to help clients find lasting relief from their substance abuse problems.

Call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763 or send us your contact information to learn more about our drug addiction help in California.

Sources:

  1. NIHOpioid Overdose Crisis
  2. JAMA NetworkAssociation Between Psychological Interventions and Chronic Pain Outcomes in Older Adults A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
  3. Science Direct Chatbots delivering psychotherapy help decrease opioid use after surgery

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Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.