Understanding how pain avoidance affects opioid use in chronic pain patients

Pain avoidance behavior and its relation to risk for opioid use in chronic pain patients

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10891623

This study is looking at how avoiding pain might lead some people with chronic pain to rely more on opioids, and it hopes to find ways to help manage pain without using these medications.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-10891623 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between pain avoidance behaviors and the risk of opioid use disorder in patients suffering from chronic pain. It aims to understand how fear and conditioned responses to pain can lead to maladaptive behaviors that may increase opioid dependency. By exploring the mechanisms behind these behaviors, the study seeks to identify traits and risk factors that make certain patients more vulnerable to opioid use. The findings could inform the development of non-opioid pain management strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain, particularly those who may also be at risk for opioid use disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience chronic pain or have no history of opioid use may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management techniques that reduce reliance on opioids for chronic pain patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding pain behaviors and their impact on opioid use, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.