Mindfulness for Chronic Pain & Opioid Addiction Relief

How Mindfulness Helps Combat Chronic Pain and Opioid Addiction

The Opioid Crisis and Chronic Pain Connection

Chronic pain—defined as persistent pain lasting over 3 months—affects 20% of U.S. adults. While opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone are commonly prescribed for pain relief, they carry high addiction risks. Key statistics:

• 2 million Americans struggle with opioid misuse
• Opioids contributed to 70% of 2019's 72,000 overdose deaths (CDC)
• Long-term opioid dependence risk increases after just 5 days of use

Emily's Story: From Opioid Dependence to Mindful Recovery

Emily Johansson, a myofascial pain syndrome patient, discovered Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) after developing anxiety-driven opioid misuse. The program, developed by Dr. Eric Garland at the University of Utah, combines:

1. Mindfulness training to manage pain and cravings
2. Savoring techniques to amplify natural joy
3. Cognitive reappraisal to reframe stressful experiences

"When I feed ducks at the park, I don't think about pain," Emily notes about her new coping strategies.

The Neuroscience Behind Mindfulness and Pain Relief

Clinical studies show remarkable results:

• 63% reduction in opioid use disorder symptoms after 8 weeks (2014 study)
• Increased brain response to natural rewards correlates with decreased opioid misuse (2019 study)

Dr. Garland explains: "Addiction makes people hypersensitive to drug cues while dulling natural pleasure responses. MORE helps rewire this imbalance."

3 Key Components of the MORE Program

1. Mindfulness Practices

   • Body scans and breath awareness
   • Non-judgmental observation of cravings (even using chocolate as a metaphor for pills)

2. Cognitive Reappraisal

   • Reframing stressful events
   • "Patients often delay medication use after this practice," says psychologist Brandon Yabko

3. Savoring Techniques

   • Focused attention on pleasant experiences (e.g., observing snowflake details)
   • Amplifies natural dopamine responses

Why Mindfulness Works for Pain Management

• Reduces pain intensity by shifting from emotional to sensory processing
• Deconstructs pain into neutral sensations (tingling, warmth)
• Decreases brain reactivity to drug-related triggers

"Pain demands attention until you medicate it," Emily reflects. "Mindfulness taught me to accept and release it."

The Future of Pain Treatment

A 2021 clinical trial with 250 participants confirmed MORE's effectiveness for:

✔ Chronic pain reduction
✔ Opioid misuse prevention
✔ Neural reward system retraining

As Yabko summarizes: "Fighting pain creates suffering. Mindfulness creates space for joy alongside discomfort."

Updated from original 2017 mindful.org article