They are not addictive if you have paid. Otherwise yes they are addictive.
Whether or not someone needs pain pills is a medical decision and the politicians should stay out of it.
I take hydrocodone for pain and I’ll admit that I am physically dependent. (Took me years to get to the point, but I know that I’ll suffer withdrawals if I suddenly stop. I’ve never been ‘high’ off of it, though.)
But what’s worse? Needing it not to have withdrawals, or being crippled by pain? It’s like the insomniac who refuses to take sleeping pills. You already can’t sleep, buddy. And you’re worried about not being able to sleep without it? May as well get some rest.
I may as well take the damn pain pill and have a life than be curled up in a ball wishing for death.