Chronic pain in America, a five-part series

At least 1 in 5 Americans suffers from chronic pain and nearly 1 in 10 are disabled by it. Medications are either not enough, cause dangerous side effects or even making the pain worse. 

To better understand pain in America, USA TODAY spoke with more than 50 experts – in pain control, psychology, complementary medicine, addiction and neuroscience – and people who live with pain every day.  That reporting resulted in America in Pain, a five part series exploring the problem, its link to the opioid epidemic and some possible solutions.

We learned adequately addressing pain isn't easy. But there's plenty of room for hope.

Day 1: America has a pain problem. How can we find relief?

Day 2: America’s children are in pain, too. But they shouldn’t be treated as little adults.

Day 3: Pain relief beyond pills? How drug alternatives are making a difference.

Day 4: Pot for pain relief? What cannabis can (and can’t) do for chronic pain.

Day 5: An end to chronic pain? Future treatment could look very different.