If there were no chronic toxicities directly related to the use of opioids, would opioid dependence be a problem in the long term?

When we talk about chronic toxicity, we mean all the adverse effects that incur from taking a drug or substance over a long period of time. In the case of opioid dependence, these effects include physiological and behavioral changes. Some physiological symptoms of chronic opioid toxicity are: decreased heart rate, dangerously low blood pressure, reduced muscular range and motility, and organ failure. Some behavioral symptoms are: fatigue, stupor, apathy, and lack of judgment. Despite the...

When we talk about chronic toxicity, we mean all the adverse effects that incur from taking a drug or substance over a long period of time. In the case of opioid dependence, these effects include physiological and behavioral changes. Some physiological symptoms of chronic opioid toxicity are: decreased heart rate, dangerously low blood pressure, reduced muscular range and motility, and organ failure. Some behavioral symptoms are: fatigue, stupor, apathy, and lack of judgment. Despite the risks inherent in repeated use, it is common for doctors to prescribe opioids for pain management. Often, patients coming out of surgery may receive a short-term opioid treatment. Those who suffer from debilitating or chronic pain conditions may be placed on opioid prescriptions as part of a program of continuing care and treatment. 

Were there no chronic toxicity issues, opioid dependence would be far less problematic. The reason why doctors prescribe opioids is that these substances are extremely effective for the treatment of pain. Opioids are often effective when pain levels are so high as to be excruciating and debilitating. If patients could continue on opioid treatments without the risk of chronic toxicity, there would be no significant problem with long-term dependence from a sociological perspective. However, it's important to keep in mind that, currently, it is impossible to extract the benefits of opioids from their long-term risks. It would take a major leap forward in the fields of medicine and biochemistry in order to de-couple benefits from risks.