Speaking from experience I can "feel your pain". I have 4 discs that are completely gone, beyond herniated.
First time I dealt with this was almost 6 years ago, did the drug thing for a couple of years and also did lots of physical therapy.
Best thing I learned is daily stretching, each and every day as soon as I get up. Any good physical therapist can set you up with a good series of stretching excercises that will provide not only short-term relief but long-term benefits.
My back "goes out" on me once a year or so and with the stretching it's really not anywhere near as bad as it used to be and I recover much more quickly. I no longer use any drugs except a couple of Aleve each morning.
Good luck.