Life Sciences Seminar: External Speaker, Dr. Abigail Helm, “Investigating Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorders”

Abigail Helm, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Division of Health Systems Science

and Department of Medicine

University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Hosted by: Assistant Research Professor Benjamin Nephew

Tuesday, April 15, 12:00 pm

Gateway 1002 ~ Pizza will be served

Abstract: 

Chronic pain impacts 1 in 5 Americans, and research indicates that nearly half of patients with chronic pain may have current substance use disorders. Among patients starting treatment for chronic pain and opioid use disorder, 75% also report comorbid mental health conditions which may exacerbate their pain symptoms and risk of substance use relapse. This presentation explores how treatment needs differ between those with and without chronic pain upon starting treatment for substance use and mental health disorders.

Bio: 

Dr. Abigail Helm is an Assistant Professor at UMass Chan Medical School in the Division of Health Systems Science and the Department of Medicine. Dr. Helm completed her PhD in Psychology at UMass Amherst where she studied cognitive neuroscience across the lifespan. Dr. Helm is currently a scholar in the NIH HEAL National K12 Clinical Pain Career Development Award (HEAL K12) program. Dr. Helm’s HEAL K12 research project is exploring cognition and behavioral health among individuals with and without chronic pain who have opioid use disorder and depression. Dr. Helm's research interests include chronic pain, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and mobile health technologies.