2.3.1 The role of social support networks
Social support, defined as the perception of availability of other people in one’s social networks, appears to play a central role in one’s ability to cope with pain61. For instance, people with chronic pain who report high levels of social support experience less clinical pain intensity, distress related to pain, and less mood-disorder comorbidities than those with less support61-63. Moreover, higher levels of social support have been shown to reduce the occurrence of pain catastrophizing in a cohort of 74 persons with spinal cord injury64. Likewise, another study of 168 older adults with various forms of chronic pain showed that high social support, as measured with the Formal Social Support for Autonomy and Dependence in Pain Inve­ntory, positively impacts not only the pain experience itself and decrease pain-related disability, but also favors higher levels of function autonomy and independence65.
Although social connections appear to positively influence the outcomes of OUD treatment66, (i.e., increased medication adherence, time in treatment, number of drug-free urine samples), thus far there are no specific studies specifically investigating the effect of social-support networks for patients with co-occurring OUD and chronic pain. However, given the clear benefits resulting from high levels of social support for people with pain or OUD, it is likely to be a benefit for those with both conditions.
Methods for assessment of social support networks have been well described by Bryant and colleagues67 and interactive tools such as the Columbia Social Support Network Map have been created to simplify this assessment68. Social workers are well-equipped with knowledge and skills to assess levels of social support, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care for both chronic pain and OUD.