Liberty,
I had an almost identical experience to you. In my opinion, if you have a close friend/family member/sponsor/sober support who can help you out and maybe even hold onto any abuseable medication for you then maybe choose not to reveal your past narcotic abuse and just stay honest with yourself and those you trust.
I know, being a former pillhead, if I have any abuseable pills nearby or even know of any being some where near me, it's pretty impossible for me to resist the urge to crush em and rail em. In that way Vin, I do feel powerless over that. A regular ole' Joe would be able to say no to pills. However, I honestly feel that I have the choice to avoid situations in which my sobriety would be highly at risk.
Ian, I totally appreciate your passion and my sympathies go out to all your friends who have struggled. Drug abuse and dependence is tragic, however, and I may be attacked for this statement, but I think addicts/alcoholics are people who are just extremely insecure and afraid of dealing with life. Recovering addicts/alcoholics, however, are some of the strongest people in the world.
Hugs & support,
Rachel