Meh, everything I've read says that people dealing with chronic pain really don't get the high like someone without chronic pain.

Having dealt with significant chronic pain for 30+ years, even the stronger drugs (like the oxy family) don't do anything other than let me go about my day (though those do make me tired when they wear off).

When my friends or family without chronic pain take similar meds for something like post-op, they're all kinds of wonked out - they get sleepy, disoriented, goofy, etc, at smaller doses than I take.

I don't feel like that from the meds, just reduced pain, same with the people in my pain management group.

I'd say the greater risk is in these people, who only need it for a short time, so they do experience that "everything is alright" effect.

There's some fascinating research these days, into how GABA works, and the interactions with dopamine and norepinephrine. Should help us understand these things better.