Opioid Use Disorder

Physical and psychological reliance on opioids, a substance found in certain prescription pain medications and illegal drugs like heroin.

Opioids are prescribed to treat pain. With prolonged use, pain-relieving effects may lessen and pain can become worse. In addition, the body can develop dependence. Opioid dependence causes withdrawal symptoms, which makes it difficult to stop taking them. Addiction occurs when dependence interferes with daily life. Taking more than the prescribed amount or using illegal opioids like heroin may result in death.

Symptoms of addiction include uncontrollable cravings and inability to control opioid use even though it’s having negative effects on personal relationships or finances.

Treatment varies but may include discontinuing the drug. Medications such as methadone can help alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal and cravings. Pairing medication with inpatient or support programs generally has the most success.

Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: PW144
Diagnosis: Opioid Use Disorder
US Patients: About 27 million in 2016
World Patients:
Sex Ratio: M+;F
Age Onset: Young adults
Brain Area: Opioids reduce dopamine in nucleus accumbens. Neuroimaging affects in the orbitofrontal area-reducing reward-behaviors
Symptoms: strong desire to use oioids, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms & living normal lives; most US heroin users began with prescriptions
Progression: Long term use shows dysregulation of brain circuits for emotion, distress and high impulsivity.
Causes:
Medications: opioid replacement threrapy uses methadone or buprenophine and naltrexone; heroin withdrawal symptoms from 2 days-2 weeks
Therapies: CBT; Lohr’s “Calming My Pain!” (DVD or Download from this website) helps to retrain the brain to reduce pain without opioids.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE

Youtube Video:Here’s Why Opioid Addiction Is So Intense

Amazon or Library Book: Decisions In Recovery:

Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Click the text to click or buy from Amazon.

samhsa.gov; 800-662-4357

(U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration Help)

4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED

The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis

Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.

The role of Alberta pharmacists working in opioid use disorder and their potential to prescribe buprenorphine-naloxone: A qualitative study
by Caitlin Olatunbosun on November 20, 2024
CONCLUSION: Pharmacists are skilled and positioned to improve access to care for patients with OUD needing BUP-NAL.
Sociogeographic determinants of rapid opioid reduction or discontinuation among High-Dose Long-Term opioid therapy patients in North Carolina, 2006-2018
by Ishrat Z Alam on November 20, 2024
CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers need to address potential biases towards patients living in underserved and marginalized communities and intersectionality with mental health stigma by prioritizing training and education in delivering unbiased care during opioid tapering.
A National Strategy for Preventing Substance and Opioid Use Disorders Through Evidence-Based Prevention Programming That Fosters Healthy Outcomes in Our Youth
by Diana H Fishbein on November 20, 2024
The recently released National Drug Control Strategy (2022) from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) lays out a comprehensive plan to, not only enhance access to treatment and increase harm reduction strategies, but also increase implementation of evidence-based prevention programming at the community level. Furthermore, the Strategy provides a framework for enhancing our national data systems to inform policy and to evaluate all components of the plan. However, not...
Engaging Patients in Substance Use Disorder Treatment by Offering Support They Are Willing to Accept
by Sharon Levy on November 20, 2024
No abstract