In 2012, approximately 255 million opioid prescriptions were written in the US. Doctors at the time thought these drugs were safe and effective. In fact, opioids have sent many patients into a spiral of addiction. The article suggests using a similar approach to curb antibiotic overprescription as in the opioid epidemic. He compares the situation where doctors underestimated the risks of both groups of drugs. The goal is to use lessons from the opioid crisis to improve antibiotic prescribing practices.