If there is an alternative to addictive opiates, why are doctors prescribing them when we have an epidemic to opiate abuse.

Complicated: There is not always an effective alternative. More needs to be done about restricting use and measures to avoid getting into wrong hands. Prescription drug abuse really creates a dilemma for us as physicians. Other medications such as benzodiazepines, stimulants, Cocaine are also commonly abused. Alcohol does not even require a rx, but abuse has been epidemic for centuries.

Not always: Sometimes alternative medications are effective; however not always. Opiate derived medications are one of the oldest, and are very effective for the short term treatment of pain. They are also addictive, and even with proper supervision can be problematic, even deadly. The body can develop both a dependence and a tolerance, and withdrawal can be unpleasant. If we had a magic pill, we'd offer it.

Well: Its because some docs don't have access or ability to provide other options. Some of the other non-opiate medications have limitations in relief and therefore these opiates are used because maybe they can't perform injections/interventions that are appropriate. Lastly, it can take sometimes more than one intervention to get relief and no one likes to be in pain.