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Authors

Macy Holmgren

Publication Date

4-2023

Keywords

mental health, physical health, public policy, opioid use disorder, OUD, medication-assisted treatment, quality of life

Volume

2023

Abstract

Opioid use disorder affects 16 million people worldwide and over 2.1 million in the United States. OUD has been an ever-growing public health issue in the nation since 1999, causing death on an unprecedented scale through 2022. Chronic pain, overprescription, illicit use of prescription opioids, and inability to access treatment are all contributors to OUD and are perpetuated throughout the nation. Victims of opioid use disorder have a higher chance of becoming addicted to harder drugs, experiencing medical complications, and dying from an overdose. Evidence-based practices such as medication-assisted treatment must be leveraged to address the issue and reduce the number of overdose casualties the nation experiences. Increasing access to medication-assisted treatment can improve overall mortality rates and the quality of life in OUD patients.

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