People who have become addicted to pain medications after back surgery may be eligible to receive treatment at Upstate that is designed to eliminate the drug dependency, restore the ability to deal with pain and potentially eliminate the pain.

This neuropsychoanalytic treatment approach is offered by Brian Johnson MD through Upstate‘s Addiction Medicine Services at 315-464-3130. Patients will undergo a psychiatric exam, detoxify and be treated for any psychiatric disorders. They will receive low-dose naltrexone to restore endorphin function and be encouraged to participate in a 12-step recovery program as well.

Participation begins with an initial period of daily treatment, which changes to twice a week once patients are in remission from comorbid psychiatric disorders. Acute treatment is usually over within two months, although Upstate researchers follow the participants for six months.

Johnson, the Director of Addiction Psychiatry, says as a condition of treatment, participants must give permission to confer with their primary physician.

Listen to Johnson's radio interview about this treatment.