Alcohol Use Problems and Opioid Misuse and Dependence Among Adults With Chronic Pain: The Role of Distress Tolerance

Alcohol use has been associated with opioid misuse and dependence among adults with chronic pain. Yet, mechanisms underlying the relation between alcohol use problems and opioid misuse and dependence have yet to be fully explored among this population. Distress tolerance, reflecting the perceived ability to withstand negative emotional states, has demonstrated independent associations with alcohol use problems and opioid misuse, but these associations have not been explored among persons with chronic pain. The present study examined the moderating role of distress tolerance in terms of the association between alcohol use problems with opioid misuse and severity of opioid dependence. Participants included 424 adults (74.1% female; M-age = 38.3, SD = 11.1) reporting current chronic pain and opioid medication use. Results indicated that alcohol use problems were significantly associated with current opioid misuse (B = 0.54, p =.001) and severity of opioid dependence (B = 0.08, p =.002) only for those with lower distress tolerance. These findings suggest that among individuals with chronic pain, the association between alcohol use problems and opioid misuse as well as opioid dependence severity is amplified among those with lower perceived distress tolerance.

Automated summary

In individuals with chronic pain, the association between alcohol use problems and opioid misuse as well as severity of opioid dependence is amplified among those with lower perceived distress tolerance.