Central Sensitization, Chronic Pain, and Addiction: How They Connect
Living with chronic pain can feel overwhelming. For many people, the pain doesn’t always match what’s happening in their body. You might have healed from an injury, but the pain still lingers. One reason this happens is something called central sensitization.
What is Central Sensitization?
Central sensitization is when the nervous system becomes extra sensitive. Normally, pain is the body’s way of warning us about injury or danger. But with central sensitization, the “alarm system” gets stuck on high alert.
Small pains can feel much bigger.
Things that shouldn’t hurt (like a light touch or gentle pressure) might start to feel painful.
The nervous system reacts as if the body is still in danger, even when it isn’t.
This is a common factor in conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, and long-term back pain.
How Chronic Pain Develops
When the nervous system stays in this heightened state, pain can continue long after the original injury or illness has healed. It’s as though the brain and spinal cord have “learned” pain, and now keep replaying it.
Over time, this constant pain can affect sleep, mood, relationships, and overall quality of life.
The Link with Addiction
Living with daily pain is exhausting, and it’s natural to want relief. Sometimes, people turn to pain medications, alcohol, or other substances as a way to cope.
Here’s where the connection deepens:
Just as the nervous system can become sensitized to pain, it can also adapt to the effects of drugs or alcohol.
This can lead to needing more of a substance to get the same relief (tolerance).
Over time, dependence or addiction can develop, even if the original intention was simply to ease the pain.
Finding a Healthier Path
Understanding central sensitization helps explain why chronic pain feels so relentless—and why quick fixes often don’t work. The good news is that the nervous system can also learn new patterns.
Approaches that may help include:
Counselling and therapy – to manage stress, anxiety, and the emotional toll of pain.
Gentle movement – such as walking, yoga, or stretching, to retrain the nervous system.
Mind-body practices – like mindfulness, relaxation, or breathing exercises to calm the “overactive alarm system.”
Support for addiction – compassionate treatment can help people move away from substances while still addressing their pain.
Final Thoughts
Chronic pain and addiction are not signs of weakness—they are complex conditions tied to how the brain and body process stress and injury. With the right support, it’s possible to calm the nervous system, reduce pain, and build healthier coping strategies. If you’re in Nova Scotia, or even anywhere else in Canada and you’re struggling with chronic pain, addiction, or both - please reach out or book a free 15 minute consultation to find out how I can help you.