Well I may stir the pot a little here unavoidably but natural doesn't mean safe, especially in combinations! Most of our strongest poisons are all natural too. Don't treat anything that you are taking for medicinal purposes lightly! Any doctor you go to, bring a typed out list of every medication, supplement, ointment, anything you are doctoring with. Also do your own homework on the net, I have had to shut down my doctors a handful of times. The saying is that any doctor that treats himself has a fool for a patient. There is a lot of truth to that for individuals too. We almost have to treat ourselves, nobody knows our condition better than we do living with it 24/7. Just recognize there are a lot of dangers and a lot of potential for harm from seemingly innocent things or minor things. Vitamins can kill, minerals can kill, herbs can kill, spices can kill. Unusual amounts or combinations of common things can be dangerous.
About addictions, those who take nothing all their lives or next to nothing are more likely to have them sneak up on them than the people that are always taking something. I have seen it happen to some of the manliest men I know. I have to take morphine after surgery being allergic to other things. I don't get mentally addicted to it but it is a very ugly 24 hours or so when they take it away after just a few days. I understand why addicts will do anything just to avoid facing withdrawal. Not the same as condoning what they do, but sometimes I think I would rather take the pain following major surgeries than that withdrawal. Feel terrible inside, skin on fire, sweating something so foul I can't stand my own stink.
No real advice from here other than recognize that addiction can happen to anyone, easier to those with no tolerance for drugs. Also don't take it for granted that anything is safe. If aspirin was discovered today it would be a highly regulated drug. My doctors tell me they are just trying to find something that works as well as aspirin without the side effects. Aspirin comes from willow trees, the inner bark I believe.
I was running my auto body shop when I fell sick for six months, hell of a mess. All you can do is force yourself to stay in touch with the people you need to. Make lists and notes to yourself or you will honestly forget. Too, mountains become manageable hills when you get organized.
Life moves in cycles, always better times ahead, we just have to slog through the bad times sometimes!
Hu