My understanding of pain meds - if you have severe pain, the medicine is
needed and you will not become addicted.  I preach to C-sec mothers to take
their meds on a regular basis.  If they wait too long and the pain gets
ahead of them, playing catch-up is  No fun and impairs movement.  If it has
been 3-4 hours and mom hasn't asked, I offer!  Short term use of pain meds
isn't a problem.  Effective pain control goes a long way to helping someone
recover faster.  Effective pain control is different from too much that
zonks a person and too little that leaves a patient miserable.  One Vicodin
a day is malpractice for a post surgical patient. Malpractice can be
comission or omission!  PDR says "Psychic dependence is unlikely to develop
when Vicodin tablets are used for the treatment of pain." Also says 1 - 2
tablets every 4 - 6 hours is a normal adult dose, with  no  more than 8
tablets in 24 hours.  And dose should be adjusted according to severity of
pain and patient's response to dose. Poor pain management is one of my sore
spots - can you tell?   Sincerely, Pat in SNJ