Only then can you begin to receive adequate treatment. Addiction has a complex psychological component to it. This phenomenon may happen when a patient is underprescribed pain medication, is then helped temporarily by the medication, and thus begins to seek out refills, multiple prescribers, etc. This is relief-seeking behavior, not addictive behavior. In reality, opioid abuse is rare in pain patients.
Many patients also worry about tolerance and excessive sedation from opioids.
Tolerance with opioid analgesics is not that common. Most cases of apparent tolerance to opioids have actually represented progression of the pain condition for which they are prescribed. If a cure can't be found, you'll just have to learn to live with your pain. There are so many treatments available today that no patient should be left with unremitting pain. Pain is an extremely subjective phenomenon, perceived and expressed by each patient in his or her own unique way.