You are correct. The US opioid epidemic won't end as long as these drugs are being excessively prescribed. In this regard, it is worth examining the fundamental rationale for this, expressed by Dr. Kozak as, "There is nothing wrong with relieving pain,." Is this true?

There is overwhelming evidence that an intact pain response (nociceprion + movement) is essential for tissue health and healing, and that blocking pain (or free movement) results in strain, inflamation and damage to tissues, particularly in our high-use and weight-bearing joints. Injury can happen very quickly, but healing happens slowly and depends on an intact pain response, uninterrupted for months.

Sadly, the failure of U.S. physicians to appreciate basic physiology is at the core of their misguided reliance on unsustainable artificial systemic analgesis (pain relief with opiods). Poor training has allowed therm to be led astray by the illusion of a quick fix to pain/injury and by false pharma propoganda. Auwe.