Cue the anti-drug (really, anti-medicine) comments from all the people who have never encountered chronic debilitating pain, either personally or in a loved one.
Absolutely. Pain needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. I have experienced cluster headaches for decades. Then, a few years ago I had a small stroke which left me with central pain syndrome. After working with my local pain clinic, and based on my types of pain and inability to take some alternative medications, opiates were my best bet. With small, regular doses, I can function and work with minimal pain. I am not pain-free but these medications allow me to go about my daily activities with relatively few problems. So, in my case, the key was finding the right opiate mix and dose, ongoing medical monitoring, and long-term physical therapy. Opiates have a place in modern medicine and their use is not black and white. Lumping all types of pain, plus chronic vs temporary pain, is bad medicine.
