I worked in anesthesia for 3 years and had to learn all kinds of stuff for drugs becuase it was in the operating rooms, not just pain killers but caffine, sleeping pills, just about anything can be addictive. Like most people said it's more a mental addiction becuase it's the habit of taking them period. I currently am addicted to caffine drinks go figure! I would try to take the pain as much as I could but I don't how bad it is for you.