The Pain Reliever and Heroin Epidemic in the United States: Shifting Winds in the Perfect Storm

Abstract

Aims: The abuse of prescription pain relievers and/or heroin is a significant public health concern. This article identifies the changes in this epidemic and estimates the extent of the gap between treatment availability and need.

Method: This article uses the national data on opioid and heroin abuse to identify at-risk groups.

Result: Findings include shifting from narcotic analgesics to heroin and demographic changes as well as changes in supply and new medication-assisted therapies.

Conclusions: The number of persons dependent on pain relievers or heroin and new initiates is more than three times greater than the current capacity to deliver treatment.

Keywords: Medication assisted therapy; buprenorphine; heroin; methadone; naltrexone; opioid epidemic; prescription pain medications.