Michigan Healthcare

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Study shows a way to treat pain without sparking relapse

Michigan Public | By Stateside Staff

Published August 9, 2016 at 4:34 PM EDT

Under the ANGEL Program, Escanaba law enforcement invites drug addicts to come to the police station voluntarily to receive help overcoming their addiction.

Our conversation with Mark Ilgen

It's become clear that America is in the grips of an opioid addiction epidemic.

But here's a dilemma: what if you're in pain? Is there a way to help patients get relief from pain without resorting to powerful pain medicines that can get you addicted?

A new study indicates the answer could be yes, through something called ImPAT, or Improving Pain during Addiction Treatment.

Psychologist Mark Ilgen is the study's lead author.

He joined us today to talk about the study, pain management, and how ImPAT helps to control pain without drugs.

GUEST

Mark Ilgen is a psychologist with the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and the University of Michigan's Addiction Center. (Subscribe to the Stateside podcast oniTunes,Google Play, or with thisRSS link)