Managing Chronic Pain Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

In this webinar, Dr. Sudheer Potru (Atlanta VA Healthcare System) and Dr. Anuj Aggarwal (Stanford University Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine) will examine the complex relationship between chronic pain and alcohol use disorder (AUD). The discussion will highlight the overlapping neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to both conditions, including shared reward and stress pathways, and how these factors can complicate clinical decision-making. Participants will gain practical insights into identifying patients at risk for AUD, appropriate diagnostic strategies, and the pain implications of commonly used AUD medications. The faculty will also address pharmacologic considerations and safety challenges when managing pain in patients with active or remitted AUD, including medication interactions, treatment planning, and risk mitigation.