PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Gastala, Nicole TI - Denial: The Greatest Barrier to the Opioid Epidemic AID - 10.1370/afm.2057 DP - 2017 Jul 01 TA - The Annals of Family Medicine PG - 372--374 VI - 15 IP - 4 4099 - http://www.annfammed.org/content/15/4/372.short 4100 - http://www.annfammed.org/content/15/4/372.full SO - Ann Fam Med2017 Jul 01; 15 AB - “Why can’t you be like my old doctor?” This essay explores my experiences as a new family physician in a rural town endemic with liberal opioid prescribing practices and opioid addiction. I detail my inner turmoil while overcoming resistance to change, the influence of these experiences on my professional growth, and my decision to offer medication-assisted treatment.