As pain relief improves, patients may be able to function better and experience a much improved quality of life. As more doctors begin to consider a trial of opioid therapy for patients with chronic noncancer pain, the need to eliminate the stigma, the myths, and the misconceptions that surround these drugs is a priority. Pain specialists have been working toward this goal. All people who take opioids for a period of time can potentially have this withdrawal syndrome if the drug is stopped or the dose is suddenly lowered. This is not a problem as long as it is prevented by avoiding sudden reductions in the dose.
Physical dependence is entirely different from addiction.
Addiction is defined by a loss of control over the drug, compulsive use of the drug, and continued use of the drug even if it is harming the person or others. People who become addicted often deny that they have a problem, even as they desperately try to maintain the supply of the drug. A very large experience in the treatment of patients with chronic pain indicates that the risk of addiction among people with no prior history of substance abuse who are given an opioid for pain is very low. The history of substance abuse doesn't mean that a patient should never get an opioid for pain, but does suggest that the doctor must be very cautious when prescribing and monitoring this therapy. People with chronic pain should understand the difference between physical dependence and addiction.