The reason I ask that is that there are some good reasons for rejecting opioids for chronic/intractable pain, and some not-so-good reasons, because they may be based on wrong or misinformation, or fear.

AintSoBad/Pete makes an excellent point when he asks:
Untreated intractable pain can be more damaging to the body and brain than long-term effects of opioids, including shortening lifespan and/or permanent brain damage. There are now studies of people on (decades) longterm opioids, and the results are not as dire as many 'experts' thought they would be.

http://tinyurl.com/444xopw

When taken responsibly, as directed, under the supervision of a doctor, opioid treatment can make all the difference in reducing the sense of suffering and improving the quality of life.

All meds have side effects, but the larger the pharmacopeoia (and it's quite large with analgesics) the better the chances of finding the right med/s and providing the greatest benefit with the least risk. Physical dependence is a fact, but it is not the same as addiction. Risk of addiction is very low (>3%)for people with no history of substance abuse or psychological problems.

Here are some excellent links that lay out both sides - good and bad - of opioids:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post734396-24.html

The 2nd link is defunct, but the same information can be found here:

http://www.stoppain.org/pcd/content/...tablishing.asp

If you want to avoid opioids, that's cool. It's not about "pro-narcotics"; it's about "anti-pain". But if there comes a time when the pain is too much - unmanageable - read these links, and discuss any questions with your doctor.

Doc