The purpose of medical narcotics is ultimately for relief of pain. It is a terrible for doctors to fear that their patients will become addicted.  There are many positive ways to use narcotics in medicine. Relief of chronic pain from diseases such as cancer or circumstances such as injuries or operations are just ways that narcotics are used in a positive manner. Doctors can also prescribe narcotics for other conditions. 

The difference between narcotic addiction and narcotic dependence can be learned by studying the ways that narcotics are properly used.  

While using opioids for an extended period of time, an increase of dosage is usually required to alleviate pain. If individuals develop a need because they stop using narcotics, that is known as dependence.

Addiction can be better classified as a habit which is both compulsive and destructive, especially when speaking of using opioid for reasons other than pain relief.  

Addiction is when the consumption of narcotics becomes both compulsive and destructive. This is especially true when speaking of opioid use for purposes other than pain relief.

Another important point to keep in mind is that an intervention, however brief, may make all the difference in the world to getting the addict back on track to restoring his/her health.