Once a person is addicted to opiates it becomes a physiological addiction. The central nervous system goes into withdrawal and the person "needs" the drug. They will do anything to get relief from the withdrawal symptoms. When people decide to quit opioids, depending on the severity of the addiction, it has to be managed somehow, usually through gradually decreasing dosages so the body can adjust. Once the physiological addiction is overcome, the person still has the same emotional and psychological problems they had in the first place. So it is a very convoluted and vicious cycle for people to fall into. Also, the brain circuits and neurotransmitters are affected, altering dopamine and serotonin levels. It is a trap. But when a person gets Oxycontin or Tylenol 3's for back pain - they don't know they may be walking into a trap they can't get out of.