Why Do Doctors Continue To Prescribe Opioids When They Know They Are So Addictive & Dangerous?

I have been asking and thinking about the above question a lot over the last few years. And even more so lately.

Why?

More and more I keep hearing about the dangers of opioids. The  addiction problem and the steady flow of deaths by overdose of these drugs.  Many of which are prescribed by doctors for pain control.

In fact, the problem with opioids has become an epidemic of sorts.

Yet doctors continue to prescribe these drugs knowing the dangers versus recommending safer alternatives.

Why?

Having a bit of time today, I decided to do some research to see if I can find the answer. And I did.

It's all about money. Plain and simple. It's about insurance companies refusing to pay for alternative solutions for pain management because opioids are cheaper.

For details, here is a link to an excellent article by Business Insider. Please note that there were/are many other articles on the same topic, most of which back up what this one says. However, the Business Insider one is the most detailed and articulate in explaining the issue.

http://www.businessinsider.com/doctors-insurance-companies-policies-opioid-use-2016-6