Well, medical evidence just doesn't bear this out.....impairment is an initial side effect that tapers w/continued use...i.e. tolerance...which DOESN'T always mean you need more narcotic to get relief. If your on Vicodin or Percocet for 2 months....that tolerance is limited and impairment is much more of an issue....but for those who have been on long term opiod therapy...impairment is not an issue. And as far as what is more normal...I ask you, would you like to support me while I lay in bed 10 hours a day, or would you prefer I pay taxes, my house payment, my car payment, buy my groceries, go on vacations, by clothing...all those things that keep the economy running and give people jobs.....cuz before I began on long term and what I view as permenant opiod therapy... I was off work 7 months following my 3rd spinal fusion and Doc's were pushing me to apply for SSI disability....I don't know about you, but I like going to work and supporting myself and my family...I like having my laundry done and my house clean and my roses in top shape. I could do none of that prior to being treated appropriately for pain. And if you're constantly "feeling" the impairment, you may want to question why your on pain meds.or whether your dosage is appropriate..as there are numerous studies that show that patients in legitimate pain get very little "euphoric" effects of opiods...