I refused to take opiates for years, in large part because there was a history of addiction in the family. My doc at the time, finally prescribed a time released version without telling me what I was taking.

What I have found is that it's one thing to "tough it out" for a closed period of time. When that period extends to months and years, when you never get any relief, when REM sleep can't be reached, when pain becomes personality changing, it can be, shall I say, difficult? Is it safe to drive when you're Not medicated? Etc. Just somethings to keep in mind...