Enhancing interoceptive awareness in chronic pain and opioid misuse via mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement.
Drug and alcohol dependence June 2, 2025 Anna Parisi, Lisa Taylor-Swanson, Jennifer L Stewart et al. 1 citation
People with chronic pain who misuse opioids report lower awareness of internal bodily signals compared to those who take opioids as prescribed. In a study of 372 adults on long-term opioid therapy, lower scores on attention regulation and trusting one's body were linked to higher opioid misuse, even after accounting for pain severity. Among 250 participants at elevated risk, an 8-week mindfulness-based program (MORE) produced greater increases in interoceptive awareness than supportive group therapy, and these increases explained reductions in opioid misuse over nine months. The findings suggest that boosting interoceptive awareness may help reduce opioid misuse.