With unbearable pain, isn't addiction to Vicodin preferable to losing quality of life?

My ex has spinal stenosis that came on gradually . A neurosurgeon told him surgery wouldn’t do any good. He is on Vicodin now and goes to pain management centers. He told me he really needs a lot more meds to deal with the 24/7 pain and uses a cane. I think, but am not sure, that this is often how addiction to opiates begins. He said he is concerned he may run out of pills. Is it not better to give patients all the pills they need rather than to withhold them due to fear of addiction if their quality of life depends upon being in less pain?