Opioid Epidemic

Opioid Use Disorder

An opioid use disorder (OUD) is defined as a chronic, neurobiological disease characterized by a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to significant impairment or distress.¹ An individual with an OUD may experience periods of treatment and abstinence followed by continued opioid use and relapse. The current opioid epidemic, including increased rates of OUD and associated overdose deaths, represents a major public health issue in the United States.^2-4 In 2018, approximately 2 million people were diagnosed with an OUD.⁵ Not since the HIV/AIDs epidemic has this country faced such a devastating and lethal public health problem.^6,7 Prescription opioids, heroin, and illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids (e.g., illegal fentanyl) all contribute to the opioid epidemic.

Impact of the Opioid Epidemic

Both nationally and in Wisconsin, studies have found that the impact of the opioid epidemic is associated with:

• Increased inpatient stays and emergency department visits^8-13
• Increased overdose deaths^12-16
• Increased rates of persons diagnosed with an opioid use disorder (OUD)^12,17
• Decline in life expectancy for the second consecutive year, due in part to OUD¹⁸

The impact of the opioid epidemic extends to family including children of individuals with an OUD. In fact, a recent report states that “the opioid epidemic is a multifactorial and multigenerational problem, and the solutions must recognize all these complexities.”¹⁹

For more information on the opioid epidemic please refer to Understanding the Epidemic | CDC’s Response to the Opioid Overdose Epidemic | CDC.