Using analgesics for emotional modulation is associated with increased distress, depression, and risk of opioid and alcohol misuse, according to a recent study. 334 analgesic using individuals with chronic pain responded to a pool of item assessing reasons for analgesic use. Measures of pain intensity, distress, depression, and opioid use and alcohol misuse were also completed Researchers found:

• Patients’ reasons for analgesics use included: for pain reduction/functional improvement, for emotional modulation/sedation, and to be compliant with prescriber instructions.
• Using analgesics for emotional modulation/sedation had the strongest relations with the other measures use and was associated with greater distress, depression, and opioid and alcohol use.
• Using analgesics for pain reduction/functional improvement was associated with greater pain-related distress and depression.
• Using analgesics to be complaint was not associated with any measure.