Addicted? Dependent?

More correct question would be when does the line between the 2 of them get a bit blurry?

Rolling into the 5th month of no opioids and the 4th month on no Gabapentin. Starting to feel a bit better mentally. Doc that put the Spinal Cord Stimulator in subtlety suggested that I quit the drugs as the dosage had not been upped in 4-5 years. He also suggested I go to PT and see a Massage Therapist. Have been going to PT for 4 months or so, have a bunch of exercises/stretches that I do at home.
Just had my second massage. While I still hurt quite a bit my back pain is half of what it was prior to PT and seeing Briana.
Briana and I have been talking about Opioid use. I also have been talking with my head doc about this.
I explained to them that I feel that I may have crossed the line between dependent/addicted, perhaps not knowingly because after I quit the drugs, when the pain level I was at did not worsen I really started to question things. I suppose in the end it really does not matter.
I am looking at having to have my left knee/hip/shoulder replaced down the road. I am on the fence about putting them off as long as possible vs just getting them done. I really don't want to start taking narcotics again, even if it is just short term.