What causes opioid addiction, and why is it so tough to combat? - Mike Davis
2,856,777 Views
26,868 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
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.
What is the connection between prescription opioids and illegal substances like heroin?
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Mike Davis
- Director Kunal Sen, Tisha Deb Pillai
- Narrator Addison Anderson
- Art Director Kunal Sen
- Storyboard Artist Tisha Deb Pillai
- Music Landon Trimble / Playdate
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
- Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
- Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
- Script Editor Emma Bryce
- Fact-Checker Eden Girma
