I use both an opiate patch, Butrans, and Vicodin, for chronic pain. The condition I have is known as DISH, which is an acronym. Basically, for nearly 2 years, my chronic pain was so bad, I was bedridden for about 80% of my waking hours. Lying on my side in bed was my only escape from terrible pain. And I have had kidney stones numerous times, so I'm on pretty familiar terms where pain is concerned.
Tried everything, physical therapy, massage therapy, trigger point injections, before my doctor and I decided on pain management. I wanted my quality of life back. Simple as that. Made that decision in Dec., 2012. But, everything was, and is, on a "as needed" basis. Eventually, I got to the point where I stopped using Butrans or Vicodin for weeks, and months, at a time. And when I have bad stretches, I use them. Addiction or dependency has simply never been a problem for me. If needed, I use them. If the pain is bearable, I don't use them.
If people think fentanyl is bad(in the states, it first appeared here in Rhode Island, and the first people to die in the states from fentanyl died here), check out Krocodil, which I understand originated in Siberia. Here are a couple of articles, but a warning is in order. What this does to the bodies of people who use it is incredible, and these photos are gruesome. This is the latest opiate, and it likely makes fentanyl seem like taking an aspirin, in comparison. Saw a program about Krocodil on National Geographic about a month ago, and could not believe anyone would do this to themselves.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/horrific-injuries-caused-flesh-eating-13959670
https://www.cnn.com/2013/10/16/health/krokodil-zombie-drug/index.html