Some would say I am addicted to pain killers because of my problems with degenerative disc problems in my back and the arthrtis that follows. This is an old injury that becomes worse with each passing year. So your family member may need pain killers to not be in horrible pain, and after a certain time, the person does become addicted. It is much different than someone who takes them to get “high”.
My ex husband is addicted to morphine because he was disabled by a work related injury 22 years ago. They implanted an infusion pump which delivers it to his spine 24/7. if he doesn’t get his pump refilled in time, he goes through withdrawal.
So if your family member’s doctors have done all they can do medically, the only thing left is to treat the pain. You can’t ask her to stop the medication without some other way to dull the pain. Addiction isn’t always a ‘bad’ thing. It’s good that you are concerned tho. What type of injury does she have?