There is a fear among some patients of becoming addicted to narcotic medications. The word "addiction" is widely misunderstood. Our pain specialists view addiction as a series of specific behaviors involving compulsive use of medication, loss of control over medications, and insistence on taking medication despite deterioration in the quality of life. Physical dependence is a normal, expected part of proper pain treatment. Our doctors and nurses will appropriately taper the patient’s pain medication over time to ensure that he or she does not experience severe withdrawal symptoms due to physical dependence.