IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD –
April 30, 2025 – The study included 160 individuals with chronic pain — both with and without OUD — recruited from primary care and pain clinics. Participants completed a positive emotion regulation (ER) task and questionnaires. A subsample of participants at risk for opioid misuse were randomized to one-on-one, eight weeks of MORE or supportive group therapy and then completed the ER task at posttreatment and questionnaires through 3-month follow-up.
Participants with OUD showed difficulty enhancing positive emotions, as seen in weakened brain responses when they tried to savor images representing naturally rewarding objects and experiences, such as smiling babies, puppies or a beautiful sunset. This blunting or numbing of positive emotions was directly linked to higher opioid cravings. However, the MORE therapy helped to heal this inability to savor by increasing brain responses to positive stimuli, which was associated with 50% lower opioid craving than standard group therapy. The results indicate that MORE could play a vital role in helping people with OUD regain control over their emotions and cravings, potentially reducing opioid misuse.
