always here – This is a very controvesial, hot topic in medicine right now. IMO, once the person, like in your family’s case, become addicted, this addiction takes precedence over any real or percieved pain. The only exception is terminally ill people. An addiction is a lifelong problem. There are many ways to deal with back pain without narcotics. A. High dose NSAIDS. B. There is a special machine that some chiropractors have, that decompresses spines. C. Certain hospitals like HSS have programs usually surgically based to correct back problems, even where others have failed.
The addicted patient needs medical help, not just an addiction therapist and/or NA. You need to go to a doctor that treats addictions. The methadone programs don’t work. The only medication programs that work nowadays are Subutex/Subloxone programs!