It's become clear that America is in the grips of an opioid addiction epidemic.
But here's a dilemma: what if you're in pain? Is there a way to help patients get relief from pain without resorting to powerful pain medicines that can get you addicted?
A new study indicates the answer could be yes, through something called ImPAT, or Improving Pain during Addiction Treatment.
Psychologist Mark Ilgen is the study's lead author.
He joined us today to talk about the study, pain management, and how ImPAT helps to control pain without drugs.
GUEST Mark Ilgen is a psychologist with the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and the University of Michigan's Addiction Center.
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