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Real stories

Living with and managing persistent pain, every, single day can be exhausting.

Read real stories from people whose lives have been affected by pain medication. Pain can affect everyone and everyone’s story is unique to them. Taking action and asking for help is the first step to managing your pain.

  • “I made some significant changes to my lifestyle ”

    Roxie, Milton Keynes
    Roxie’s story
    Roxie knew the impact her pain medications were having on her life and was desperate to keep the doses to a minimum.
    Read Roxie’s story
  • The life-threatening cost of a pain-free life
    Short-term use of painkillers might be acceptable for acute pain, but Graham urges people to stop the painkillers for long-term use.
    Graham’s story
  • Lisa didn't know she was an addict.
    Lisa didn't know she was an addict. Originally from Georgia USA, she now lives in Yorkshire. She didn't know it at the time, but her experience of opiate addiction started at just 23 and wiped out her 20s.
    Lisa’s story
  • Louise has lived with persistent pain almost all of her life.
    Starting with ‘growing pains’ as a child. This is her journey from dependence on opioids to an opioid-free life.
    Louise’s story
  • Dan decided to manage his pain and be medication free.
    Restless leg syndrome resulted in him taking the maximum dose of morphine and oramorph.
    Dan’s story

  • “I will never again use pain medication it for long term pain management.”

    Jill
    Jill’s story
    She now uses a wide variety of techniques to maintain her physical and mental well-being.
    Read Jill’s story
  • Initially, Keith took normal over the counter pain medication, but the pain led him to a prescription of Codeine.
    After 5 years of a cocktail of pain medication and side effects he went to see his GP and over 6 months gradually reduced and withdrew from most of his medication.
    Keith’s story
  • Back pain resulted in Janet taking stronger and stronger pain medication.
    For a long time she didn't recognise the person she had become but through meditation and working with her GP she was able to become drug free.
    Janet’s story
  • Clive's five-year painkiller journey followed, ending with a six-month withdrawal before feeling normal.
    Clive Graham, 71 from Hamsterley, County Durham, had led an active working life but became addicted to painkillers due to arthritis.
    Clive’s story
  • Kate's husband Paul became a totally different person on pain medication.
    Kate’s husband Paul became addicted to codeine after getting injured playing rugby. His dependence on pain medication became so extreme that their family life was torn apart.
    Kate’s story

  • “”

    Bob
    Bob’s story
    The pain’s still there of course, but I can manage it myself.
    Read Bob’s story
  • 60-year-old Stephen has been suffering from chronic pain for almost 20 years.
    He had no choice but to quit his job as the effects of his pain medication were making it impossible to focus.
    Stephen’s story
  • Tracie’s story
    Tracie, 48, became addicted to codeine after injuring her knee in an accident at a theme park.
    Tracie’s story