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

FAM aims to support caregivers and their loved ones as they navigate unique challenges in care for mental health and substance use disorder. Take Control of Pain will build on that mission by providing education and advocacy resources that support access to acute pain treatment innovations.

Approximately 125 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed in 2023 for pain management. While these medications can be effective and safe for many, families dealing with pain deserve to know and access their full range of treatments, including non-opioid options.

The initiative and its members will advocate for policies and programs that address barriers to access and empower patients in shared decision-making with providers.

Take Control of Pain represents a diverse group of stakeholders, understanding that groups including seniors, caregivers, veterans, rural and minority populations, the pain community and others, face unique challenges when it comes to pain management. The campaign’s founding members include Black Health Matters, Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse, PALs (Patient Advocacy Leaders) United for Veterans, and Patient Mind.

Explore the campaign’s resources and learn how your advocacy group can get involved at www.fam-network.org/advocacy/take-control-of-pain/.