Shireesh Bhalerao, DC, Western States Chiropractic College, 2900 NE 132nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97230, 503-256-3180, sbhalerao@wschiro.edu

Recently published data indicates that there is a high prevalence of alcohol and drug (A&D) abuse in adults living in Multnomah County, Oregon. One in six adults abuse or are dependent on alcohol or other drugs. This accounts for approximately seventeen thousand admissions in residential rehabilitation programs per year. These data underscore the necessity of effective A&D prevention and treatment services in the county. Many A&D rehabilitation patients experience pain that was once masked by the abused substance prior to admission into a rehabilitation program. In susceptible patients, this pain may exacerbate the substance abuse problem. In addition to chronic pain syndromes, there is often comorbid psychiatric illness in A&D patients. This commonly leads to inappropriate perceptions of disability and resultant fear-avoidance behaviors. Using United Way funding, Western States Chiropractic College implemented a community service project intended to increase access to and utilization of chiropractic care for residential A&D rehabilitation patients. Additionally, the project endeavored to improve outcomes for these patients while providing a unique opportunity for chiropractic students to treat an underserved population. By addressing musculoskeletal symptoms and offering coping mechanisms for the pain experienced by A&D rehabilitation patients, the free chiropractic care provided in the project intended to help patients better comply with rehabilitation programs to overcome their addiction and avoid exacerbation of any psychiatric illness. During the project, it became apparent that access to and utilization of chiropractic care would increase if the care was provided directly within the participating A&D rehabilitation facilities rather than off-site.

Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of the poster presentation, the participant(learner)will be able to

• Understand the need for providing chiropractic care to drug and alcohol rehabilitation patients."
• Apply the information provided to clinical decision-making in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction."
• Develop a similar treatment model in either an academic setting or in private practice."

Keywords: Drug Addiction, Alternative Medicine/Therapies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.