“I’m Not the Same Person Anymore”: Thematic Analysis Exploring Experiences of Dependence to Prescribed Analgesics in Patients with Chronic Pain in the UK

Abstract

Introduction: The rising issue of dependence to prescribed pain medication for patients with chronic pain has been highlighted in the literature; however, there is a dearth of research exploring the patient perspective of this dependence in the United Kingdom (UK). This exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate experiences of prescribed analgesic dependence in patients with chronic pain in the UK. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine UK-based participants (eight females, one male) with a mean age of 44, who experienced chronic pain and identified as dependent to their prescribed pain medication. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and the data analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged, including perceptions of dependence, interactions with others, and interactions with medical professionals. The findings revealed how the experiences focused on the participants’ own perception of their dependence, such as its perceived impact on their life and how the dependence began, and the relation of the dependence to their social environment, for example, doctor–patient relations. Conclusions: These findings suggest practical implications for the management of dependence such as, raising awareness of the risks of dependence with these medications in the UK, and stricter observation of those taking the medications to identify dependence issues early.