Epidemiology of Opioid Use and Smoking, Alcohol, and Polysubstance Use Among Persons Using Opioids

Over the past several decades, opioid overdose deaths have become an increasing issue in the United States, contributing to the opioid epidemic and challenging the health system and the economy nationwide. This chapter explores the epidemiology of prescribed and non-prescribed opioid use, including initiation, opioid use disorder, and trends over time. The authors begin by introducing opioids, their classification, therapeutic uses, consequences of use, and routes of administration. The authors discuss empirical findings for prescription opioids, heroin, nationwide opioid prescription guidelines, and morbidity/mortality at the individual and societal levels. Lastly, the authors present common comorbidities for persons with opioid use (e.g., other substance use, polysubstance use).