journeyman,

this is a very good question...a conversation i had in detail with my doctor.

there's a huge differnce between use and abuse, between physical dependency and addition.

one huge thing to ask yourself is if you're using your meds for pain and not for any secondary result (feeling better, high, etc.) Another good question to ask self is if you're taking more than perscribed even though the amount perscribed helps the pain.

my doctor pointed out that my anxiety about this showed my vigilence not to abuse which helped ease my mind there.

i wish you well as you continue.

KD