This course will demystify the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain, the role and limitations of pain medications, and how to identify when pain relieving drugs may be harmful to clients. Participants will understand how to conduct a complete evaluation of clients with a pain disorder, chronic pain syndrome and co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses. Although the majority of chronic pain patients do not abuse pain medications, mental health practitioners need skills to assess when active substance abuse is present and develop appropriate treatment objectives. This course will also give special attention to specific clinical challenges for mental health professionals who treat clients with chronic pain, including suicide assessment and treatment non-adherence.

Learning Objectives:

• List key concepts for understanding a client's report and response to pain
• List the key components of a pain assessment
• Discuss risks and benefits of narcotic and non-narcotic pain treatments
• Identify and define key terms for differential diagnosis of problematic use of drug therapies by patients with chronic pain
• Describe elements of a treatment plan for active addiction in clients with chronic pain