Programs Opioids Clinical Primer Mental Health, Chronic Pain, and Substance Use: Addressing the Connections
Mental Health, Chronic Pain, and Substance Use: Addressing the Connections

Mental Health, Chronic Pain, and Substance Use: Addressing the Connections

Understand how mental health conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and a history of trauma may contribute to and complicate the management of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and substance use disorders.
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Outline

Understand how mental health conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and a history of trauma may contribute to and complicate the management of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and substance use disorders. Explore how to use brief interventions and referral for treatment for patients with these overlapping conditions. Consider ways to incorporate trauma informed care into practice.

Objectives

Describe how mental health disorders and trauma are risk factors for both chronic non-cancer pain and opioid use.
Routinely screen for anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders in patients with chronic non-cancer pain.
Implement evidence-based approaches to the management of anxiety disorders in patients with chronic non-cancer pain and patients with opioid use disorder.
Incorporate a trauma-informed approach to care for people with pain, substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders.

Audience

  • Physicians and other health care professionals
  • Health Professionals Trainees

Credits

This e-learning activity is a form of self-study using enduring materials (e-learning modules) as defined by the Maintenance of Proficiency (Mainpro+®) Program of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). Self-study using e-learning modules is included under the Non-Certified Self-Learning credit category. Any non-certified activity is generally eligible for one non-certified credit per hour.

This e-learning activity is a form of self-study using enduring materials (e-learning modules) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Self-study using e-learning modules is included as an example of a Section 2 activity. Reviewing enduring materials is generally valued at 0.5 credit per topic. However, additional research/self-study using the e-learning can also be submitted as Personal Learning Projects (PLPs) where you will earn two (2) credits per hour.

Developers

  • Jennifer Wyman, MD, CCFP, FCFP, DABAM, MPH, Women's College Hospital, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
  • Anthony J. Levinson, MD, FRCPC, MSc, Director, Division of e-Learning Innovation, Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
  • Mel Kahan, MD, CCFP, FRCPC, Medical Director of Substance Use Service, Women's College Hospital, Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
  • Lynn Wilson, MD, CCFP, FCFP Vice Dean, Partnerships, Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Details

Duration
1 hour
Credits
Self-Study (Non-Certified/Unaccredited)
Certificate
Yes
Added
Aug 25, 2025
Tags
Psychiatry
Pain
Mental Health
Substance Use Disorders
Primary Care
Internal Medicine
Emergency Medicine

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