The medical field has long recognized the complex intersection of chronic pain and addiction, but a critical third component is often overlooked. In this MEC Connect Expert Insights episode, “Beyond Pain and Addiction: The Triple Diagnosis,” our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Fernando Branco, shares his approach to treating patients beyond the traditional pain-addiction model.

Dr. Branco discusses the framework of "triple diagnosis" in pain medicine. His decades of experience revealed that addressing underlying psychiatric conditions alongside pain and substance use disorders is critical for successful treatment outcomes. He offers expert insights into:

• The interconnected nature of physical pain, substance use, and mental health.
• Why a triple diagnosis framework could enhance treatment approaches for some of medicine's most challenging cases.
• The importance of considering psychosocial factors, such as family dynamics, environmental stressors, and social support systems, that can either facilitate recovery or create additional barriers. 
• How underlying psychiatric conditions consistently influence treatment outcomes. 
• Why pre-existing conditions create a complex treatment landscape that demands a more comprehensive approach.

Listen now to hear about Dr. Branco’s holistic approach to viewing patients as "global persons" and the paradigm shift that moves integrated patient care beyond the common dual focus of pain and addiction.

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