Natalie,
You wrote what I think every pain patient has repeated over and over again. There needs to be a way that we change the stigma against patients. We have been lumped in with those fighting addiction and like you said we are addicts, we only want to live as best we can.
I don’t have the answers, I keep advocating to those that will listen and educate them that we as patients and those who are addicted are two totally different groups and should never, ever be lumped together.
My best to you,
Noki