Im a long time (7 yrs) user of codeine/Tramadol because of serious shoulder injury, just had my fourth operation three weeks ago (capsular release this time) and the pain from this was horrendous, worse than the joint replacement I had some years ago, so my pain relief was back up to 8 tramadol a day, now despite me being used to Tramadol the itching came back as if I’d never taken before, sweating and even though I was only needing that much for about a week there are definitely side effects when you start reducing it, anxiety, sweating, heart palpitations. Fortunately back to only a couple of codeine in the mornings now, but i honestly can’t function without them and that’s dependency and I bloody hate it. I cannot wait until this shoulder is fully sorted and I can wean myself off it all completely, so yes, I recognise it in him completely. Much as he says he was dependent and not addicted I don’t believe him at all. It’s not something I ever consciously think that I want to take and often don’t need anything other than first thing in the morning, I’m not craving the need to take it through the day to make my life better. He is so obviously using it to get high and if he’s drinking with it as well and maybe other stuff it would explain a lot about his behaviour.