Addiction Research & Therapy

Despite the widespread prescribing of opioid medications for the treatment of chronic pain there is little or no evidence for its effi cacy. In fact, the studies show that long-term prescribing of opioid medications leads to signifi cant morbidity and mortality. The Controlled Substance Laws defi ne prescription opioid medication as dangerous and addicting medications. Despite the classifi cation and scheduling of opioid medication, their prescribing continues to be widespread and adverse. Of central importance is there are few studies of the addicting properties that drive the high rates of prescribing and adverse consequences. It is a myth that most people treated with opioids never become addicted and addiction does not develop if you are prescribing for pain. Why are opioid medications prescribed in large quantities and high frequency when there is little or no proven effi cacy for their therapeutic value? Why are opioids the most commonly prescribed medication in the United States for the past decades when the adverse consequences continue to grow? Why does the medical profession continue to prescribe opioid medications that result in increased pain and increased disability? Th is article summarizes the inherent addictive pharmacologic properties that are the impetus and basis for America’s current opioid epidemic.