Drug Addiction, Dependency and Pain - Introduction course
This session describes the key concepts of drug addiction and dependency that relate to patients who are in pain and who also have a history of substance misuse.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:
- Identify the challenges in managing pain in current or former addicts
- Outline the clinical features and neurobiology of drug dependence
- Describe the management of pain in patients with a history of addiction
Managing pain in people with current or past dependence on opioids is more challenging, and has more important consequences, than managing pain in other populations.
James trained in Internal Medicine in Australia, then specialized in Addiction medicine. He led the establishment of the Chapter of Addiction medicine, and Addiction medicine gained specialty recognition in Australia in 2006.
From 2007 James has worked in the UK, at Kings College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
His major research interest is the management of opioid dependence.
James is a content author for the e-PAIN project.
- Anaesthesia | e-LA learning path: Aston University...
- Posted By eIntegrity Healthcare e-Learning
- Posted Date: 2026-07-21
- Location:Online
- This session looks at the action of opioids given by epidural and intrathecal routes and considers the key adverse effects; it will enable you to execute a management strategy for these adverse effects.
- Anaesthesia | e-LA learning path: Aston University...
- Posted By eIntegrity Healthcare e-Learning
- Posted Date: 2026-07-21
- Location:Online
- This module will enable you to use patient controlled analgesia (PCA) techniques according to patient need and to manage common problems and side-effects.
- Anaesthesia | e-LA learning path: Aston University...
- Posted By eIntegrity Healthcare e-Learning
- Posted Date: 2026-07-21
- Location:Online
- This session will provide a rationale for the prescription of analgesia for patients with moderate acute pain.
- Anaesthesia | e-LA learning path: Aston University...
- Posted By eIntegrity Healthcare e-Learning
- Posted Date: 2026-07-21
- Location:Online
- This session describes the principles of opioid therapy in particular dose titration and analgesic failure. It discusses how to control some of the adverse effects of opioid therapies.
- Anaesthesia | e-LA learning path: Aston University...
- Posted By eIntegrity Healthcare e-Learning
- Posted Date: 2026-07-21
- Location:Online
- This session introduces commonly available opioids. It then goes on to discuss their associated side effects and clinical management of these side effects.


