Breaking the Cycle: Best Practices for Treating Pain in Patients with Substance Use Disorder (1 Class A CE with 1 Pharm and 1 Pain)

As the opioid epidemic continues to grow, nurse anesthesiologists increasingly care for patients with substance use disorder (SUD) requiring elective and emergent procedures. Best practices for managing acute and chronic pain in these patients demand a multimodal, patient-centered approach tailored to individual circumstances. For active SUD patients, careful assessment of pain and substance use history, along with prescription drug monitoring and heightened vigilance, is crucial. Prioritizing non-opioid analgesics and regional anesthesia techniques helps minimize opioid exposure, while short-acting formulations under close oversight are recommended when opioids are necessary. Patients in remission require a focus on maintaining recovery while managing pain effectively, necessitating collaboration with addiction specialists and preferential use of non-opioid strategies. For those on medication-assisted therapy (MAT), continuing buprenorphine or methadone perioperatively is often advisable, with acute pain management involving multimodal analgesia and regional techniques. Integrating behavioral health approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, benefits all SUD patients. Throughout treatment, patient education, informed consent, and clear communication about pain management goals are essential. Ultimately, ongoing assessment, flexible treatment plans, and interdisciplinary collaboration are key to optimizing pain management outcomes while addressing the unique needs and risks associated with SUD.

Class A credit can only be earned for participation in synchronous learning via live in-person or live webinar sessions. In-person attendees can only receive Class A credit for the sessions they attend live.

Due to CE guidelines, sessions which are recorded will not be available for viewing immediately following Congress.