The problem of abuse and addiction to opioids has emerged as a major issue in the United States, leading to new Opioid Prescribing Guidelines from the CDC as well as the enactment of new opioid prescribing laws. For many seasoned clinicians, we are witnessing a cycle from opiophobia, to greater acceptance of opioids, back to opiophobia. Despite exceptions for hospice and palliative patients, the combination of new laws and publicity about the dangers of opioids is making it harder to prescribe opioids, access opioids, and convince our patients that they are safe to use.