I think a lot of people used item in FFVIII by the end but normally only b/c of holy war trials or hero potions. I never had items junctioned by anyone ever and just used Rinoa for invincibility. All of my characters were maxxed out on every cure the first battle it would appear on an enemy so I never worried about that, and with recover or w/e the gf ability was that healed for a lot I never had to worry about heals again.