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Addictive behaviours and chronic pain are linked?

Stuart333

Bit of a random snippet of info.

I was watching a mandatory manual handling refresher.

They mentioned that:

Studies have found a link between smoking and back pain. One study in America concluded that smokers are 3 times more likely than non-smokers to develop chronic back pain.

This is thought to be because the brain pathways involved in addiction are also related to those implicated in the development of chronic pain, making smokers less resilient to the pain of back injury.

I thought it might be interesting in light of our repetitive and sometimes addictive  behaviours, and the fact some struggle with pain. (I don't have chronic pain, I have some reduced sensitivity or at least can block it out.)

I guess it is also not helped by things like paracetamol giving people brain fog. I avoid painkillers.

Parents

  • Smokers are also more likely than non-smokers to feel higher levels of chronic or acute pain to other parts of the body too.

    People build up tolerance to the effects of nicotine and it increases inflammation. That can make painkillers such as paracetamol or opioids less effective. 

    I don’t take paracetamol often but I haven’t noticed any side effects. 

    Paracetamol and other painkillers are useful and at times necessary medication, but I limit their use to times of need.

Reply

  • Smokers are also more likely than non-smokers to feel higher levels of chronic or acute pain to other parts of the body too.

    People build up tolerance to the effects of nicotine and it increases inflammation. That can make painkillers such as paracetamol or opioids less effective. 

    I don’t take paracetamol often but I haven’t noticed any side effects. 

    Paracetamol and other painkillers are useful and at times necessary medication, but I limit their use to times of need.

Children
  • in reply to ArchaeC

    I was wondering if other addictive behaviours would cause the same effect.

    Smoking is bad for you anyway and affects the circulation, so I am not entirely convinced by their argument.

    But if you had a non-harmful addictive behaviour, like stimming, whether that would also make you more prone to long term pain.

    In my assessment I think they asked if in had random pains, but I don't remember chronic pain.