Hospital keep prescribing opiates to addict

[Luciansmum6]

Hi name change here.

my partner is a former opiate addict (codeine, heroin, methadone). He had to go to hospital for an operation I told them this information but they gave him oramorph and other opiate pain killers. He overdosed once and I took him to AandE in the same hospital. They keep continuing to prescribe it to him? I’m not sure if this is some lack of understanding and communication or if they are doing this because they don’t care?
i don’t know who to complain to? It’s set his recovery back and I want them to stop prescribing it. He’s not in pain anymore it’s purely the addiction.

Oh and just to add he recently moved and doesn’t have a GP here and it’s been impossible to find one

Contact PALS and ask for an investigation.

Are you sure he’s not in pain, as addict or not pain killers including opioids are needed to treat pain.

ask them to give paracetamol and ibuprofen instead. But post surgery opioids are very commen and are needed to treat pain.

What does he say? Does be know you're complaining,.does he have capacity?

If he needs pain killers what would be the alternative then?

I think its common practice if they see a medical need for painkillers.
Sorry, I know this is a hard situation, my father was in hospital and overdosed on his medication plus heroin. They almost couldn't bring him back.
He left hospital with a different prescription, but still a prescription for opiate medication.

What's your partners viewpoint on his situation?

It seems unlikely they would keep prescribing it if your partner wasn't reporting pain.
Are you present during the consultations to know what he says?

Unfortunately you cannot dictate or influence the treatment of your partner and I doubt PALS will discuss it with you without your partners consent.

You should be able to help him self refer to the local drug and alcohol team. They’ll deal with this he needs a plan to wean off. A pharmacist can give you the contact details.