Welcome to SR. I strongly recommend this book. It is very helpful and discusses a lot of alternative therapies and the use of narcotics safely.
Amazon.com: Living with Chronic Pain: The Complete Health Guide to the Causes and Treatment of Chronic Pain: Jennifer Schneider: Books
Your Doctor has probably told you not to abruptly stop your medication because you will have w/d symptoms because your body has become physically dependent which is completely different than addiction. When pain medication is taken properly and for a legit reason it is very rare to actually become addicted.
Opioids: Addiction vs. Dependence Prescription Drug Abuse - Preventing Abuse Of Prescription Drugs And Pain Medications
As for Doctors comments on the amount of medication you are on. I can see a Doctor that will say "Wow, for all of your health problems you are on very little medication." and I can walk into another Doctor's Office and get the "You are on a lot of medication." It really is just a flip of the coin and of course the ever annoying "You are too young to have this many health problems." Like I chose them from a basket or something. LOL
Anyhow, I hope this helped a little. I hope your pain levels stay as low as possible today.