Narcotics and saying no

I take narcotics, large quantities of them. I do not choose to do this. I take them to get through the day and night. I have learned there are two sides to taking medications.
There is the stigmata of taking narcotics. Because so many medications are habit forming most persons assume if you are taking them you are addicted. I assumme at some level you are. Physically when we find a solution to my chronic pain, I will go through a period of withdrawal. I am willing to accept this. But medically there are ways to get through these times. My doctor and I have discussed the way I take medication and then the issues I will have as I withdraw. This is a stigmata I can live with.
There is also the mental addiction. The need for them in your mind. I have found by maintaining the attitude I am taking these medications for a short time, and keeping a journal of when and what I was feeling has really helped me avoid the thought I have to take medication forever. This is not to say there are not people who cannot stop once they start. I am fortunate to not be one of those.
The other side of taking narcotics is there are so many people who assume, since you take them you are willing to share with them, or at least sell a couple of them. I lost a friend because I refused to sell her any of my pills. I would not let her "borrow" the medication, and I explained to her repeatedly if she needed pain medication she should see her doctor. Instead she found a new friend who shares with her.
Being in Chronic Pain and taking medications really does limit the ability of friendships, but it is even harder when you have to watch each person you meet to gage if they are your friend for who you are and not for what you take.