Povezanost alkoholizma i kronične boli

Abstract

The relationship between alcohol consumption and chronic pain is of increasing importance in the area of scientific as well as clinical research. Although it seems that alcohol tends to provide a certain analgesic effect, excessive consumption can lead to many undesired effects. Some of them are increased pain responding - hyperalgesia, hypersensitivity to emotional distress in the context of opioid abuse - hyperkatifeia, and an allostatic load, that is, the state where stabilizing responses becomes dysregulated. As a result of repeated episodes of pain and alcohol intoxication combined with withdrawal, pathological changes to neural structure and function may occur. A possible overlap of neural substrates between pain transmission and alcohol dependence is considered. Lastly, a model postulated by Egli, Kobb, and Edwards (2012) is reviewed as well as possible interactions between these factors and how they might motivate a person experiencing chronic pain to turn again to alcohol for symptom relief. Finally, a direction for future research and how to implement these findings in the clinical treatment of people suffering from chronic pain and alcohol abuse is proposed.