I agree with MaryB, some people just have more addictive traits than others. I take opioids for acute pain (Tramodol and Percodan), and have done so for years. I take breaks so that it doesn't lose effectiveness and I don't take more now than when I started. My pain management doc watches my doses and my refills so that he'd also know if I was using more than he wanted me to. I have no problems keeping my doses low and do not have any withdrawals during my breaks in dosage. I don't feel that I am a threat to become addicted, nor to move to any stronger drugs, especially any unregulated and questionable potency street drugs. My pain is acute, not chronic, which means that it flares up fast and strong and it needs a drug that reacts the same way. So moving to a daily regimented dosage of a non-narcotic is not a good treatment option. I don't need pain meds when I'm not in a wave of bad pain, so the opioids are wonderful in their fast action for acute pain. I agree that it's not for everybody, because some can't take it that way without going too far, but don't ban it for people who are able to use it with supervision and moderation, as sometimes it is their only relief option from pain so severe that most cannot comprehend.