Public Access Section
Patient Information Resources
Here you can access self-management guides, factsheets, and tools designed to help you understand persistent pain and make informed decisions about opioid medicines.
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Real stories
Reducing opioids — real stories and tips for change
Hear from people who have made changes to their opioid medicines, and explore practical ideas that supported them.
Positive change leaflet
A short guide to help you reflect on your pain review and take positive next steps.
Please note: This leaflet includes a reference to the retired mypainreview.co.uk website.
Louise’s story
7 minsLouise shares her experience of stopping opioids and how walking became a helpful part of her life.
Lisa’s story
4 minsLisa explains why she changed her pain medicines and how focusing on what mattered helped her through it.
Sean’s story
5 minsSean talks about living with pain and how tai chi and mindfulness helped him move forward.
Know the facts
Opioids and persistent pain
Clear, straightforward information about opioids, their role in persistent pain, and staying safe with prescribed medicines.
Opioids and persistent pain
An accessible overview of opioids, how they work and why long-term use may need reviewing.
The problem with opioids
1 min 45 secA brief introduction to why opioid medicines may become less helpful when used for persistent pain.
Which medicines are opioids?
1 min 30 secFind out which commonly prescribed pain medicines are opioids — and which are not.
Pain and driving
Information for people who drive while taking prescribed pain medicines, from the Faculty of Pain Medicine.
Practical support
Steps you can take to live well with pain
Explore small, manageable approaches that can support daily life — from movement and pacing to understanding pain and sleep.
Understanding persistent pain
Learn more about persistent pain and why it can continue even after the body has healed.
Ten footsteps
A guided journey through ten practical steps towards living well with persistent pain.
Exercise and persistent pain
Understand how gentle, gradual activity can help you build confidence and support wellbeing.
Please note: This leaflet includes a reference to the retired mypainreview.co.uk website.
Pacing
Practical ideas for balancing activity and rest, and avoiding the boom-and-bust cycle.
Pain and sleep
Simple approaches to help you understand sleep and build habits that support better rest.