455: Addiction Risk Assessment: Tools, Challenges, and Staying Sober After Surgery

455: Addiction Risk Assessment: Tools, Challenges, and Staying Sober After Surgery

In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, host Tom Conrad is joined by Benjamin B. and Dr. T. to tackle the challenging topic of pain management for those in recovery. They dive into a recent study on a new screening tool that helps doctors assess a patient's risk of addiction before prescribing opioids, especially for surgery patients. This tool, based on psychosocial history, aims to ensure that those with higher risks are identified early to prevent potential substance abuse issues.

The conversation gets practical as they discuss real-life scenarios where people in recovery face elective surgeries and the tough decisions that come with them. The team shares strategies to manage pain without jeopardising sobriety, including alternative pain management techniques and the importance of understanding both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Dr. T. explains the study's key points, such as the importance of identifying risk factors like catastrophizing, anxiety, and negative urgency, which can increase the likelihood of substance use disorders.

They also talk about the feasibility of implementing this screening tool in everyday medical practice and how it could potentially revolutionise patient care. Beyond the serious discussion, the episode lightens up with some personal anecdotes, including Tambini's favourite childhood cereal and Tom's newfound passion for barbecue. These lighter moments provide a refreshing balance to the heavy topics, making the episode both informative and enjoyable.

If you're looking for practical advice on managing pain while maintaining sobriety or simply want to hear some engaging stories, this episode has got you covered. Tune in to learn more about this groundbreaking study and how it could impact your recovery journey.