Probability of Developing Opioid Use Disorder

Approximately 2.5 million Americans have an opioid use disorder (OUD), including both prescription opioid and heroin/fentanyl use disorders. The opioid crisis has claimed over 500,000 lives since 1999, with over 80,000 opioid-involved overdose deaths in 2022 alone, largely driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

The risk of developing an OUD after being prescribed opioids for chronic pain is estimated at 8-12%. Even short-term opioid prescriptions carry risk: about 6% of patients who receive opioids after surgery continue using them beyond 90 days. Risk factors include personal or family history of substance abuse, mental health disorders, younger age, and higher prescribed doses.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone is the gold standard for OUD treatment and reduces overdose death by 50% or more. Naloxone (Narcan), now available over the counter, can reverse opioid overdoses and has saved tens of thousands of lives. Despite effective treatments, only about 22% of people with OUD receive any medication for their condition.