Substance Use Among Adults with Chronic Orofacial Pain

Chronic orofacial pain (COFP; i.e., musculoskeletal, neurovascular, or neuropathic pain in the face, mouth, or jaw that lasts for at least 3 months) is prevalent and debilitating. Chronic pain and substance use frequently co-occur, and individuals with COFP face unique challenges (e.g., uncertainty about future pain episodes, difficulty eating, drinking and talking) that may influence substance use. Nevertheless, no work to date has comprehensively assessed substance use among individuals with COFP. Here, we examine the prevalence of substance use among adults with COFP. Participants included 246 adults with COFP who were recruited from the Facial Pain Association. Participants completed an online survey that included a comprehensive assessment of substance use (i.e., Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test) between December 2023 and January 2024. Most participants (82.9%) have used ≥ 1 substance in their lifetime, over two-thirds (68.3%) currently use ≥ 1 substance, and nearly half (43.5%) engage in risky substance use. The most commonly used substances were alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, opioids, and sedatives. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of substance use among adults with COFP. Findings extend prior work documenting high rates of substance use among individuals with chronic pain to a sample of adults with COFP. Given that substance use can exacerbate chronic pain and interfere with pain management, findings underscore the importance of assessing and addressing substance use among individuals with COFP.