Treating patients with a history of drug addiction for pain is not easy. The doctors have to weigh the importance of pain relief with the issue of potential drug abuse. The fact that your sister is aware of this issue is a good thing, because it opens a dialogue between her and her doctors.

Yes, there is a subgroup of individuals who cope maladaptively by pushing themselves in spite of pain. These individuals can be classified as endurance copers. Studies show that endurance copers may be more prone to chronic pain.

A. C. Rusu, M. Hasenbring, Multidimensional Pain Inventory derived classifications of chronic pain: Evidence for maladaptive pain-related coping within the dysfunctional group. PAIN. January 2008. 134. Issue 1-2.Pp. 80-90.

According to some researchers, the Multidimensional Pain Inventory can be used to classify people with pain into three subgroups. Two of the three subgroups are at greater risk for misinterpreting their pain, coping with it poorly, and will likely have chronic pain.

A. C. Rusu, M. Hasenbring, Multidimensional Pain Inventory derived classifications of chronic pain: Evidence for maladaptive pain-related coping within the dysfunctional group. PAIN. January 2008. 134. Issue 1-2.Pp.

This study examined maladaptive pain-related fear-avoidance and endurance coping in patients with chronic back pain. Endurance coping was defined as the tendency to endure severe pain to finish current activities irrespective of pain increases. 120 subjects referred for treatment of chronic pain where classified as dysfunctional, interpersonally distressed, or adaptive copers using the Multidimensional Pain Inventory.

Buprenoprine, a medication that has been successfully used in patients who are fighting opioid addictions may also be an effective analgesic when used in the sublingual form.

A semisynthetic opioid, buprenorphine has a wider safety profile compared with other full opioid agonists. There also appear to be fewer issues with withdrawal when treatment with buprenorphine is discontinued.

A Patient's Guide to Pain Management: Body Talk

Introduction

Addiction to pain medication concerns many people, from those who make the drugs to those who take them. However, some pain can't be managed without the type of medications, called narcotics or opioids that can be addictive.

People with chronic pain may not be able to find relief, or total relief, from the pain through traditional medical treatments. Sometimes, the medications and therapies available cannot help relieve the pain.

When chronic pain cannot be resolved with medications and treatment, self-management may help decrease the intensity of the pain and increase the ability to cope with it. Earlier studies have shown that use of a program called Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response (TIVR) was beneficial for patients for a short period.

People with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) vary with the severity of their symptoms. The pain, skin temperature change, and muscle weakness can be mild or become so severe that amputation is required.