Opioid Use Disorder

Course overview

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major public health concern. It is responsible for 69% of deaths directly related to substance use as well as produces major negative mood and health effects among those living with the disorder; OUD disease burden and fatality increase annually in spite of increased understanding of the disease's pathophysiology and proliferation of treatment approaches (Lee et al., 2024). Approximately 6.3 million people in the United States and 20 million people globally experience OUD (Nedjat et al., 2024). Living with chronic OUD is associated with decreased life expectancy, increased risk of comorbid illnesses, and decreased employment and earning potential (Lee et al., 2024). Social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and counselors working in mental health and addiction settings should have a clear grasp on the risk factors of OUD as well as be able to identify the signs of opioid misuse and potential treatments. This learning material describes the pharmacology of opioids and the medications that may be used to treat opioid dependence. In addition, it discusses the risk factors for and signs of opioid misuse, as well as the diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches for individuals experiencing OUD. This learning material also presents guidelines for responsible prescription of opioids and information on effective pain management approaches. Case examples, opportunities for reflection connect the content with everyday practice, and vignettes illustrate how key concepts may present in a real client circumstance.