A life well-lived pain free or close to is far better than simply being alive but unable to live due to chronic pain. 

You're right, continue use of opioids will lead to addiction and continued use could shorten the patient's life.

Again, that's a better option than not being able to live a good life pain-free (or manageable). Which is why doctors prescribe them. And I doubt the writer is in denial of anything regarding addiction or the long term consequences. Doctors are pretty upfront about things like that.