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:

Mindfulness training to manage pain and cravings
Savoring techniques to amplify natural joy
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

Mindfulness Practices
- Body scans and breath awareness
- Non-judgmental observation of cravings (even using chocolate as a metaphor for pills)
Cognitive Reappraisal
- Reframing stressful events
- "Patients often delay medication use after this practice," says psychologist Brandon Yabko
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

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Mindfulness for Chronic Pain & Opioid Addiction Relief