Thats funny, because I saw something years ago about the UK and use of heroin for terminal cancer patients, something that is not allowed here. It is apparently effective when other opiates are not, which gives the patients a much better quality of life in their remaining time. A few times patients will recover, and they are able to stop taking the heroin with no problem.
It is the overuse of opiates to get high that causes addiction, the vast majority of people who use it responsibly and only for pain relief do not have problems. I was afraid of it at first, but my pain was incredible. I found the dosage that works, a long acting 12 hour version that allows me to keep to a fairly low dose, as the pain is better controlled than with a four hour version. This has allowed me to live a fairly normal life. I am still seeking a permanent solution to my problem, and I do hope to lick this thing, but I am grateful I don't have to live in pain. Those who think pain meds are unnecessary are not well informed, trying to live with severe, constant pain is impossible.
Imagine having someone kick you repeatedly in the bladder every five minutes, then try to imagine going about your day, going to work and living your life with that going on. It's impossible, you would be able to think of nothing else but your pain and how to stop it. That is my life without pain meds.