Problem is, in addition to the addictive qualities, once you start popping pills for every little ache and pain it takes more of them to have the same effect.

I believe that there was a study done some time ago suggesting that taking pills for headaches leads to more headaches over a period of time.

It wouldn't suit the drugs companies, but what we should be doing is learning to manage pain and to recognise the pain that needs to be controlled by drugs as opposed to that which can be managed simply by resting or even just acknowledging a degree of discomfort.

Right now I have an intermittent toothache, which will be dealt with this week. In the meantime, when it starts in I just acknowledge its existence and then try to forget about it. I try not to take any painkillers unless I really have a lot of pain.