HEALTH

Pain & Alcohol

  • March 18, 2021
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  • Health
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  • Magdalena Matwijow
 

As we approach St. Patrick’s Day and we reach for our annual pint’o-green-beer or reacquaint ourselves with our love of Guinness or Jameson’s, let’s talk about booze and pain management. And I don’t mean hangover remedies.

Patients experiencing pain have a variety of options, both prescription and over the counter. One reality, is that most patients can self-medicate with alcohol without prescription. Alcohol’s availability in our own homes may be convenient, but should be guarded against as an inappropriate substitute for pain relief treatments. Despite the potential perception of short-term pain relief, chronic use of alcohol in and of itself presents short and long-term detriment to your health, outweighing any short term perceived benefits.

Complicating the cost-risk benefit analysis in alcohol consumption for pain treatment, is that the short-term perceived benefits can be real. In one study examining over 2500 subjects with and without fibromyalgia, moderate alcohol consumption was indeed associated with reduced chronic pain. In both patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain from other sources, moderate consumption of alcohol lead to decreased pain severity, fewer painful body areas, improved mental health, and physical function. Moderate alcohol users reported significantly lower fibromyalgia symptoms, pain severity, catastrophizing, and higher physical functions. (1)

In a second study of over 400 participants, the results again demonstrated a tangible perception of relief. Participants were evaluated with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of approximately .08%, or roughly 3-4 standard drinks. Results showed two effects, a small increase in tolerance of overall pain, and a moderate-large decrease in experienced pain. Increases in these perceptions correlated with a commensurate increase in BAC.  (2)   Long-term chronic use however also correlates with a greater chance of alcohol dependence in managing pain.

 

Despite the evidence that there may be some reduction in chronic pain through alcohol use, the long-term effects of alcohol use outweigh short-term benefits. Long–term health risks include mental health problems, social problems, weakening of the immune system, cancer, elevated blood pressure, weight gain, cirrhosis of the liver, etc. Needless to say, THINK – BEFORE YOU DRINK. Celebrate and medicate responsibly.

 

Happy St. Patricks’ Day!

1. Scott JR, Hassett AL, Schrepf AD, PhD, et al. Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced pain and fibromyalgia symptoms in chronic pain patients. Pain Medicine. 2018;19:2515-2527.
2. Thompson T, Oram C, Correll C, et al. Analgesic effects of alcohol: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled experimental studies in healthy participants. The Journal of Pain. 2016;18(5):499-510.