Hi, I am currently being treated for Chronic Pain and is long or life term. I at one point in my younger years was before developing the neurological condition which causes me to have perifial neurapathy and severe muscle spasm's, I was using or abusing Vicoden for recreational purposes (Euphoria).

I stopped abusing hydrocodone years before developing my current condition, now I take Oxycodone and Duragesic, both strong pain medications. I need to say that "Abuse" and "Addiction" are the key factor for me. Taking as prescribed even, anyone who takes opiate based medications on a daily basis will become physically dependant only lack the euphoria or 'high' from the drug. In my experience dealing with Chronic Pain, no Euphoria I have yet experienced as it does not occur in me as even with the Duragesic and Oxycodone I am still in pain. Yet being on it for a year, I am dependant, meaning that if you are on Hydrocodone for daily constant use, anyone would most likely have to be reduced in the dose gradually to stop the body from going through severe withdrawals.

I feel if it is not being abused and taken as prescribed then when the med is tapered down for stopping it, the chances of addiction is not great. I would not worry if there is no abuse or feelings euphoria, then reducing the dose gradually would let you know what point or dose does not cause you the adverse side effects. Your doc may even prescribe an anti inflamitory in addition to a lower dose. Four over the counter Ibuprofen 200mg Tablets are the same equivilant of a prescription 800mg Ibuprofen tablet, just not in one pill form.

Good Luck and hope you are able to have freedom of the pain with surgery. Take Care.