Abstract
Summary
Cold-induced pain threshold and pain tolerance were measured in drug-free ex-addicts (DFE), in methadone-maintained ex-addicts (MME), and in age-matched nonaddict siblings (NAS). Multiple responses to an ice-water stimulus were obtained for each hand. Resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures were determined across a 15-min period both before and immediately after the pain-testing session. Pain threshold of both ex-addict groups (DFE and MME) was lower than that of NAS. Pain tolerance was slightly but not significantly lower. Ex-addicts further differed from non-addicts in an autonomic response to the experimental situation: The diastolic blood pressure of nonaddicts rose following cold pressor stimulation but there was no rise in the ex-addict groups. Methadone-maintained ex-addicts do not differ from drug-free ex-addicts in pain threshold, pain tolerance, or blood pressure response.
We thank the directors, particularly Dr. Mitchell S. Rosenthal of Phoenix House, the staff, and patients of various drug-free programs and methadone clinics for their cooperation in contacting or serving as subjects. The study was supported by NIDA Grant DA-00390-01 and by New York State Office of Drug Abuse Services Grant C-107653.
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