If I am on pain medicine or seeing a pain management specialist, am I likely to become addicted to opiates?
ANSWER –The research states that between 3.27% - 11.5% of persons who are treated for pain develop addiction to opiates. Those patients who take opiates for pain do not experience euphoria like those individuals who are addicted to the opiates.
(“Prescription Opioid Abuse, Pain and Addiction: Clinical Issues and Implications.” Ling w, Mooney L, Hillhouse M. Drug Alcohol Review. 2011 May; 30(3): 300-305.