But I do think it is difficult for people who haven't gone through addiction to understand it. I became addicted to painkillers after a surgery more than a decade ago. And I cycled through recovery and relapse a couple of times. It really isn't as simple as "just saying no." Addiction changes you and the way you think. I was lucky in that I was able to keep my job and keep it under control as I worked through it. It continues to be something I struggle with. At times, especially stressful times, the urge go back is mind-boggling and powerful. And though I've been clean for years, I've never looked the same at addicts.