1. Living with chronic non-cancer pain

Australians talk about their pain experience and the impact that pain has had on their lives.

2. Individual approaches to pain management

Australians talk about their experiences with a range of different pain management options including those that help them.

3. Experience with opioids and chronic non-cancer pain

Australians talk about taking opioids for pain, effects of opioids and stopping or tapering them.

4. Accessing healthcare and support resources

Australians talk about their experiences with seeking help for pain, communicating with health professionals and being involved in support groups.

5. Non-opioid options for chronic non-cancer pain

Health professionals talk about who can help people living with pain and a team approach to management.

6. Opioids and chronic non-cancer pain

Health professionals talk about the role of opioids in chronic pain, potential harms and dependence, how to stop or taper and recent changes to access and supply.

7. Working together to help manage chronic pain

Health professionals talk about non-opioid options for pain and research into new treatments

These videos have been developed in collaboration with Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).

Medicines information and support

Yarning about managing pain

Two Aboriginal men living with pain, a pharmacist and a GP talk about their experiences with chronic non-cancer pain, opioids, non-medicines approaches and pain services.

This video has been developed by NPS MedicineWise and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), in consultation with Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF).

Pain, opioids and other management options

People can experience acute and chronic pain in many different ways. Managing pain aims to improve quality of life and ability to do things and can involve self-management strategies, physical activities, psychological treatments and medicines. Opioids are medicines often prescribed to help manage some types of pain. However, they do have the potential for harm, particularly when used long-term and at higher doses. This is why opioids are not very useful for chronic pain not linked to cancer.

Where else can I find information and support?