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First thing I would tell you is to tell your friend to stop referring to his pain medication that was lawfully prescribed for a legitimate reason as an "addiction" It very well might be but at this point his saying so is the only thing that establishes it as such. Addiction is a bad word
Opiates are habit forming, everyone knows this. Needing help to ween off of a prescribed and once necessary pain killer is not illegal or even reason to be ashamed. He should be applauded for recognizing he has developed a dependency and talk to the doc that prescribed the medicine to work up a plan to get him off them. That should be job one.
Opiates can be a serious monkey to shed and in some cases medical detox is required. In my opinion the worst thing he could do is act like he is doing something wrong or something he is ashamed of. He needs to tell the doc, do what is recommended and get to work kicking. If he needs detox, then he needs it and he best sign his toukus up. If he does it like an open book and does what the doc says its not "addiction" it is simply being prudent to ween off prescribed pain meds.
Thats my 2 cents
My understanding is that he was cut off several months ago, maybe his doctor will help him taper but it sounds like hes taking more then he should and is experiencing really bad withdrawal when he gets to stop. I can't empathize because I've never been in that situation. I quit cigarettes and that was hard as hell. I can only imagine how much worse it is for him.