Most of the addiction literature I've read says that physical addiction is overestimated: even heroin addicts regularly go through physical addiction, either involuntarily because they can't get it, or voluntarily (through treatment efforts, or simply deciding to sober up for e.g. a wedding or other important event). What makes them addicts isn't that they can't stop, it's that they start up again.
Conversely, people hospitalized for something acutely painful often get addicting (or, withdrawal causing) painkillers in amounts and at purities street users can only dream of. And once it's over, they go through withdrawal, and it's deeply unpleasant, and they never want to do it again. People going through something like that aren't more likely to become opioid addicts than anyone else, according to old study results (I may be able to dig them up if you're interested).
It's of course different for chronic pain. But then, the reason for people wanting to start up again is pretty obvious.
Conversely, people hospitalized for something acutely painful often get addicting (or, withdrawal causing) painkillers in amounts and at purities street users can only dream of. And once it's over, they go through withdrawal, and it's deeply unpleasant, and they never want to do it again. People going through something like that aren't more likely to become opioid addicts than anyone else, according to old study results (I may be able to dig them up if you're interested).
It's of course different for chronic pain. But then, the reason for people wanting to start up again is pretty obvious.