I used to abuse alcohol/prescription pain medications. It's a dangerous combination that can kill. I doctor-shopped a lot in order to have a supply of narcotics on hand. I loved the numb feeling that alcohol/narcotics gave me.
There are plenty of non-narcotic pain relievers out there on the market today.
I have degenerative disc disease and see a pain management specialist for steroid injections into my lumbar region. I am honest with all of my medical providers regarding my past addictions.
Exercise such as walking helps strengthen my back and abdominal muscles.
Occasionally the back does go south on me like today with severe spasms and that's when I talk to my doctor about a short-term script for mild muscle relaxers.
There is a lot of pain that can be managed in numerous ways not involving narcotics.