I sincerely believe that, when you are using narcotics for severe pain, you cannot become an addict, because the med is working on the pain. However, it's when you stay on the meds, full strength or more, after the pain has diminished, that you become that addict.

Although, not a narcotic, I was on Paxil for over 6 years, on the highest dose, when it seemed to stop working. I had heard such horror stories of the withdrawal symptoms and was afraid to get off.

My wise PCP didn't think I would have those symptoms, because I had used it properly and it had been properly prescribed for me, by my Neuro/Psych Doc. He replaced my PaxIl with a lower dose of Prozac, and he was right I had no withdrawal sx and the Prozac began to work for me.