The article presents a case of a patient treated with pethidine for several years due to stump pain. Due to numerous somatic (symptoms associated with concomitant cancer), mental (depressive and anxiety disorders), and social (disability) burdens, insufficient support from the environment, and improperly conducted pain therapy, the patient independently sought ways to cope with a difficult situation, which led to pethidine addiction. The use of the drug brought the patient temporary relief in the physical dimension. However, it led to the consolidation of incorrect behaviour and deterioration of quality of life. The paper presents the rotation of opioids used in the discussed case, which resulted in satisfactory analgesia. The description of the case was supplemented with a psychologist’s comment.