Family and friends

Family and friends are more likely to continue social connections and support the person with chronic pain when they understand chronic pain and the person’s goals. See Educating patients, and their families or carers about chronic pain for useful information resources.

Chronic pain can significantly affect the person’s family and friends. Family and friends have significant role changes due to increased dependency (physical, financial, emotional) from a person with chronic pain and often undertake additional activities to support that person. This may lead to significant social isolation of the family or friend. Consider referring them to a community service for additional social or financial support, including:

• local community centres
• Relationships Australia
• The Smith Family
• a multidisciplinary pain service (if complex family dynamics are complicating pain management).

With consent from the person with chronic pain, these services can work with families or friends to improve their knowledge about chronic pain and their skills to support their loved one.