Drug. I am dependent on them as I have severe back pain (sisologic - a sharp curves of spine) when I was born but not only that, I got in car wreck in 05 that it made my back even worse as it crashed my lower back disc and pushed my spine curve hard but luckily not hard enough for the spine to disconnected. As long as people only use them for the pain or something instead of just because they like the feeling of it.
Personally, I dislike taking even aspirin or Tylenol for minor pain because the pain is there for a reason (to slow you down, warn you of problems, etc.) However, when there is severe pain (for whatever reason) and a doctor prescribes painkillers, I definitely take them. At that point, the body's warnings are irrelevant and the need to be at least somewhat functional is paramount. My daughter is a pharmacy student and we were discussing painkillers and addiction just yesterday. Her professors are clear that someone who takes opiates (or whatever other painkiller) for pain is NOT an addict because those folks are taking the painkillers to treat pain. Addicts are people who abuse drugs for the "high."
Addiction is where there is a compulsion to continue a behaviour and where withdrawal is an issue so a someone with chronic pain condition may well be an addict but the addiction is manageable and not problematic. If they stopped taking the medication they would suffer withdrawal on top of the underlying pain. And no, not all recreational drug users are addicts but when they are the addiction tends to be problematic. And yes, I'd take the medication, within reason. I have a girl friend with a freshly broken collar bone and she's reduced her pain meds because some caused fogginess so she's playing a balancing game between pain management and side effects. Every case will be different.
Generally I used to stay away from taking Drug as much as pain is bearable. Antibiotic can effect your body in long run. For e.g..if you have headache, rather than taking medicine, go for a sleep for some time, you definitely feel batter. Many ways are there..
I try to act macho and with a body covered in tattoos, I look like a badass, but when it's all said and done, I'm really a wuss about pain, so I'd probably just take the drugs.
It really does depend on pain intensity and the time you are experiencing it. In some situations drug taking is absolutely necessary -- if you don't take them nervous system can just freak off. One more point: "drug" is too broad a category: some substances are harmless for many folks. I'm allergic to ibuprofen, but most folks are fine with this stuff. MJ can be a decent pain-reliever when you have a toothache, but lots of people are afraid of it, ' cause it's a "drug".
Drugs. I think in a controlled environment (such as a hospital) it would make sense to let yourself numb the pain while you have the opportunity. It's the thin line between 'helping yourself' and 'being addicted' that's very important to walk.
I had my appendix removed back in 1999. Upon my release they gave me 20 or so codeine pills to take along. Talking of feeling great. It makes you feel good. Really, really good. I never finished the bottle, because I started to freak out that I might get addicted to the drug. I think the moment you feel you can go without a drug, you should quit taking it (of course in some cases you should consult your physician before doing so).
I would take the painkilling pills or patches if I really had to but not until then. In fact, I did face that while hospitalized but weened myself off them a.s.a.p. once the pain was manageable. I hate taking pills of any kind and the patches were making extra loopy.