Kosst, I am there in regard to the pain; severe constant pain has only been recent. In regard to "Addiction" I watched it with tearful eyes; a jazz musician I idolized was doing what he had to do right in front of me.
Somehow, back then, drug addiction, according to the public was restricted to "jazz musicians"
In this thread, we're riding in two completely separate trains going down parallel tracks. One is the victim of old age and constant pain that can only be relieved by 'drugs'. He is not trying to get high, he just wants relief from the pain. That might require more drugs than his system can handle, and he checks out.
On the other track is the young pain free (unless you count mental pain) person who wants to get high. But nobody told them about "addiction". Once that happens it all over until they OD. Apparently your wife was on this train.