The way it was explained to me is that if you are taking the pain meds ONLY for pain and ONLY when you are in severe pain, you cannot become addicted to them. If you are in constant high pain and constantly taking darvocet for it, then there is a bigger problem than addiction that should be addressed.

I take my muscle relaxers more often that the pain meds and I try to only have them at night. Keeping my muscles loose and relaxed cuts down on the severe flare-ups that have me in bed in level 10 pain taking valium, flexaril and percocets. A dangerous but necessary mix.

In summer months I take far less medication than I do in winter and spring (turbulent weather changes). Do whatever you can to identify what makes you hurt more and do what you can to lessen it. For me it's weather... and percussive movement.