![]() ![]() What should be done to contain the opioid epidemic and to prevent new cases of iatrogenic addiction and associated overdose, death, and other harms? The purpose of this chapter is to review available evidence on strategies that have been used to address the problems of opioid misuse, OUD, and related deaths. Likewise, the continued progression of still more people from prescription opioid use to OUD will demand sustained and coordinated effort to establish and implement the scientifically grounded policies and clinical practices necessary to reshape prescribing practices and reduce the occurrence of new cases of prescription opioid-induced OUD. Thus, even if the nation ramps up treatment availability substantially and immediately, death rates will climb and quality of life will be dramatically reduced for many people for years to come. Follow-up studies of individuals receiving treatment for OUD involving heroin (e.g., Hser et al., 2001) find very high rates of premature mortality (in the neighborhood of one-third) due to overdose or other complications of the disorder. These numbers are likely to increase in the coming years, regardless of what policies are put in place. ![]() At least 2 million people have an opioid use disorder (OUD) involving prescription opioids, and almost 600,000 have an OUD associated with heroin ( HHS, 2016). Years of sustained, coordinated, and vigilant effort will be required to contain the present opioid epidemic and ameliorate its harmful effects on society. ![]()
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