What causes opioid addiction?

Explore the science of why opioids are addictive.

In the 1980s and 90s, pharmaceutical companies began to market opioid painkillers aggressively, while actively downplaying their addictive potential. The number of prescriptions skyrocketed, and so did cases of addiction, beginning a crisis that continues today.

What makes opioids so addictive? Mike Davis explains what we can do to reverse the skyrocketing rates of addiction and overdose.

Help is available. The department of Health and Human Services maintains a database of more than 14,000 substance abuse centers in the United States. To keep drugs from being diverted, Google has added drug disposal sites to Google Maps. It is possible to avoid opioid addiction with more informed choices on pain management. Finally, it is possible to overcome opioid addiction with effective substance abuse programs and the support of family and friends.

CREDITS

Director: Kunal Sen, Tisha Deb Pillai
Art Director: Kunal Sen
Storyboard Artist: Tisha Deb Pillai
Music: Landon Trimble / Playdate

Educator: Mike Davis
Narrator: Addison Anderson
Director of Production: Gerta Xhelo
Editorial Producer: Alex Rosenthal
Producer: Bethany Cutmore-Scott