Opioid Use Disorder Knowledge Center
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a complex but treatable condition characterized by the continued use of opioids despite ongoing negative consequences to oneself or others. It is a chronic disorder, but recovery is possible with evidence-based treatment options like Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.
Essential Articles on Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder is the clinical term for someone who is struggling with a combination of physical dependence on opioids and harmful behavioral patterns (sometimes called ‘addiction’). To be diagnosed with OUD, a person must meet certain criteria, which can include opioid tolerance, dependence and withdrawal symptoms, strong cravings, unsuccessful attempts to stop or control use, and continued use despite negative consequences.
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Effective Treatment of Opioid-Use Disorder Through Telehealth
Breaking Down a Peer-Reviewed Publication Describing Bicycle Health’s Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Program
Commonly Misused Opioids
Commonly misused opioids include illegal drugs like heroin and illicitly made fentanyl, prescription opioids, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl, tramadol, and carfentanil. The proliferation of extremely potent opioids like fentanyl is a major contributor to the opioid epidemic and increasing rates of overdose deaths. New and increasingly deadly synthetic drugs are still being created and trafficked, such as the emerging synthetic opioid isotonitazene.
Other High-Risk Opioids
Treating Opioid Use Disorder
There are many different options for treating opioid use disorder, including 24-hour programs like inpatient and residential care as well as various levels of outpatient treatment, such as partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and standard outpatient. The gold standard for opioid use disorder treatment is medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which combines behavioral therapy with medication, such as Suboxone or methadone.
More on treatment
Suboxone Therapy for OUD
Behavioral Health
Behavioral health encompasses substance misuse and mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. Behavioral health services cover a continuum of care, including prevention, interventions, treatment and therapy, and aftercare.
