Opioid usage trends in treatment – Trends from the field

Abstract

Objective: As legislative changes limiting access to prescription opioids were enacted, the population of opioid use disorder\xa0patients seeking private residential treatment also changed. This study is designed to examine some of the specific changes that\xa0were observed between opioid used disorder patients entering treatment before and after the legislative restrictions were enacted. Study design: Retrospective cross-sectional cohort design. Results: Significant changes from Group 1 (patients presenting for treatment in 2009-2011) to Group 2 (patients presenting for\xa0treatment in 2014) include a substantial decrease in the usage of prescription opiates. Alongside this reduction, a significant\xa0increase was shown in reported heroin abuse with concurrent polysubstance abuse (Cannabis, Amphetamines, and Sedatives), as\xa0well as noted employment and family issues. Conclusions: The identified patient presenting to treatment for Opioid Use Disorder has changed over the last several years and\xa0treatment should reflect those changes. Not only has this disease become one of opioid usage but of polysubstance abuse and\xa0disruption in other areas of life as heroin usage becomes more prominent in patients.