Fortunatly I now have a rheumatologist who understands the difference. He put me on methadone, and said that I would not get addicted. Even if I take it for years. Who knows-I just follow the rules and only take the amount he prescribes me. Its just that so many PCPs are scared to give out anything for more than a few weeks. They would rather refer to a pain doc or other specialist if a patient needs to take opiates for more than a few weeks. I think that they should if they aren't "up" on pain treatment. A lot of people are labled addicts who are not and have to suffer needlessly.