Our shared commitment to supporting families and patients to navigate acute pain treatment on their terms.

Recently, the Families, Addiction & Mental Health Network (FAM) launched Take Control of Pain, a new initiative to empower choice, knowledge and change in the management of acute pain.  

Pain is a universal experience that impacts physical and mental health across populations, but it’s an experience that for decades has seen far too little progress in treatment. Recently, the landscape of pain management has changed with promising innovation. As new options abound and the opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities, non-opioid treatments can be a powerful solution for many.  

An estimated 80 million Americans receive medicine for acute pain each year. To help manage pain, approximately 125 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed to patients in 2023. While these medications are effective for many, others may seek non-opioid options due to personal preference, a history of addiction, side effects or tolerability. 

As organizations dedicated to addressing the needs of caregivers, families, veterans, rural communities, patients and Black Americans, we know that acute pain affects our communities in unique ways.  

For veterans, who have defended democracy abroad and now battle new challenges at home, pain may be a recurring obstacle. For patients and families who face a variety of health conditions while navigating the healthcare system, pain can feel out of their control. For rural communities facing long distances and other barriers to care, limited access can make even finding a physician to prescribe treatment an impossibility. And for Black Americans, who have historically been undertreated for pain, pain management may go unaddressed. Despite our different challenges and experiences navigating acute pain, we are united in our mission to help those in need Take Control of Pain. 

As steering committee members for the Take Control of Pain campaign, we represent our constituents’ unique needs and guide areas of focus to advocate for improved education, awareness and access around acute pain treatments innovations. And we invite other advocates and organizations to join these efforts so we can represent even more Americans in need. 

By convening a cross-section of voices, Take Control of Pain captures the varying experiences and perspectives of a wide range of individuals, helping us create tailored webinars, discussion guides, advocacy materials, and other resources. We’re excited and hopeful to see what we can accomplish together. 

Learn more about Take Control of Pain, check out our resources and see how you can get involved: https://www.families-network.org/take-control-of-pain/