Strong desire to use opioids, increased tolerance to opioids, failure to meet obligations, trouble with reducing use, withdrawal syndrome with discontinuation[4][5]
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a substance use disorder characterized by cravings for opioids, continued use despite physical and/or psychological deterioration, increased tolerance with use, and withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing opioids.[12]Opioid withdrawal symptoms include nausea, muscle aches, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, agitation, and a low mood.[5]Addiction and dependence are important components of opioid use disorder.[13]
Risk factors include a history of opioid misuse, current opioid misuse, young age, socioeconomic status, race, untreated psychiatric disorders, and environments that promote misuse (social, family, professional, etc.).[14][15] Complications may include opioid overdose, suicide, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and problems meeting social or professional responsibilities.[5][4] Diagnosis may be based on criteria by the American Psychiatric Association in the DSM-5.[4]
Opioids include substances such as heroin, morphine, fentanyl, codeine, dihydrocodeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.[5][6] A useful standard for the relative strength of different opioids is morphine milligram equivalents (MME).[16] It is recommended for clinicians to refer to daily MMEs when prescribing opioids to decrease the risk of misuse and adverse effects.[17]
Long-term opioid use occurs in about 4% of people following their use for trauma or surgery-related pain.[18] In the United States, most heroin users begin by using prescription opioids that may also be bought illegally.[19][20]
People with an opioid use disorder are often treated with opioid replacement therapy using methadone or buprenorphine.[21] Such treatment reduces the risk of death.[21] Additionally, they may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, other forms of support from mental health professionals such as individual or group therapy, twelve-step programs, and other peer support programs.[22] The medication naltrexone may also be useful to prevent relapse.[10][8]Naloxone is useful for treating an opioid overdose and giving those at risk naloxone to take home is beneficial.[23] In 2020, the CDC estimated that nearly 3 million people in the U.S. were living with OUD and more than 65,000 people died by opioid overdose, of whom more than 15,000 were heroin overdoses.[24][25]
In 2022 the United states reported 81,806 deaths caused by opioid related overdoses, Canada reports 32,632 opioid related deaths between January 2016 and June 2022.[26][27]
^"3 Patient Assessment". Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). 2004.
^Mohamadi A, Chan JJ, Lian J, Wright CL, Marin AM, Rodriguez EK, et al. (August 2018). "Risk Factors and Pooled Rate of Prolonged Opioid Use Following Trauma or Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-(Regression) Analysis". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 100 (15): 1332–1340. doi:10.2106/JBJS.17.01239. PMID30063596. S2CID51891341.