Beware the pain-alcohol trap of self-medication

In an episode in season 2 of “Friends,” Rachel has been trying to suppress her feelings for Ross, but hits a breaking point when she finds out that he and his new girlfriend are getting a cat. She treats her mental pain by getting drunk on a date with another man, eventually leaving Ross a message telling him she’s over him (which clearly doesn’t prove her point).

This is just one of the many scenes in which one of the friends self-medicates with booze to numb emotional pain, and that’s never a smart move. But a nip does seem to work somewhat when it comes to easing physical aches and pains! An analysis published in The Journal of Pain looked at 18 different studies on alcohol and pain, and concluded that a blood alcohol content of .08 (the legal limit for driving) resulted in a slightly higher pain threshold and a “moderate to large reduction in pain intensity.”

That may explain why so many folks with chronic pain end up with alcohol dependency problems.

One study found that as many as 25 percent of people experiencing pain self-medicate with alcohol!

If you have been self-medicating to ease chronic aches and pains, go talk to your doctor about finding a solution that improves your health. Excess alcohol puts you at risk for everything from liver problems and some cancers to heart woes and balance problems. There are better and more effective ways to ease pain, including physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, medications and surgery.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www. sharecare.com.