Persisting with purpose: Using acceptance and commitment therapy to target comorbid opioid use disorder and chronic pain in a racially and economically marginalized population

Abstract

Opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain (CP) are commonly comorbid health conditions that cause significant disability, distress, and mortality. Treatment for these conditions is impacted by drop out and presence of other psychiatric conditions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an effective intervention to treat chronic pain and substance use disorders, however this intervention has not been systematically evaluated for treatment of comorbid OUD and CP, especially in a racially and economically marginalized population. In this paper we describe development of such an ACT manual, using an intervention mapping approach. While the manual pays close attention to opioid use and chronic pain, it includes transdiagnostic principles that target overall psychological well-being including a deep emphasis on expanding valued living. We incorporated trauma informed care, cultural humility, and harm reduction principles in the development of nine ACT skills that are easy to understand and scalable. The treatment manual centers economically and racially marginalized patients who are traditionally underrepresented in psychological research. This manual is currently being evaluated in clinical trial NCT05039554 with funding from the NIH HEAL project #RM1DA055437. The treatment manual and handouts are freely available for use and included.