I am a firm believer in that if you take meds for which they were prescribed, you don't have to worry about addiction to them. I have major back and cervical disc issues and have taken hydrocodone for almost 20 years. I take the same amount I did when I started. Right now I am at every 7 hours. Very seldom do I have to take them every 4. I always have to move my next appt out because I have too many pills left when it comes to appt again. I see him every 2 months. Maybe it's a psychological thing, physical thing, who knows, all I know is if I had an issue with them, like the doctor has told me, I'd be taking 3 at a time instead of 3 a day. I may be dependent on them but I don't consider myself addicted to them. I don't take them to get high. I also don't drink or smoke. What I am sure of is that ibuprofen or Tylenol does NOTHING for that type of pain. I have neuropathy and thighs will get numb if I stand too long in one position, one reason I had to stop working as a hairstylist after owning salon in assisted living for 20 years. My only fear is that one morning I'll wake up and not be able to get out of bed because sometimes I wake during night to thigh, either left or right, being numb and that's lying on my back.