Just for clarification: addiction is not what you've got. You've got the normal physiological response to being on these opioids for any length of time, consistently. One's body becomes used to them, adjusts to (most) initial side effects, and one builds a tolerance. That is just the way the body works. That's physiological dependence and any sudden stopping of those meds will result in withdrawal symptoms. Actually, it's not just opioids; there are many meds one should wean off rather than quit cold turkey. Addiction is a whole other animal which includes misuse of medication, using it for purposes other than for which it was prescribed, hoarding it then taking a whole bunch to try for some sort of rush, the need to keep obtaining more and more of this substance to the eventual exclusion of all else. Addiction and dependence are entirely different but people use the terms interchangeably. Remember, the first--addiction--is characterized by a pattern of behaviours that may become criminal--buying/selling/trading on the street for another substance w/more or less bang, taking the substances for purposes not even closely related to pain, etc. People need to quit beating themselves up about 'being hooked' b/c yes, the body slowly becomes dependent on the meds, and to minimize withdrawal when those meds are no longer needed, one weans gradually. It only makes sense!