Opioid Use Disorder
What is opioid use disorder?
Opioid use disorder is characterized by the ongoing use of opioids despite harmful consequences that can significantly affect your health and/or function at work, home, or school.
There is a common misconception that opioid use disorder (sometimes called opioid addiction) is a choice and that people can stop using opioids when they want to. Opioid use disorder is a treatable chronic disease, not a choice.
Anyone can develop an opioid use disorder. In episode 2 of an audio series on opioids developed by Health Canada, a physician tells his story of developing an opioid use disorder during treatment of his back pain.
Management of opioid use disorder
Management for opioid use disorder combines the use of medication (opioid agonist therapy) with non-pharmacological therapies e.g., counseling, cognitive behavioural therapies, traditional ceremonies and culture.
Opioid agonist therapy may include one of the following medications:
- Buprenorphine-Naloxone (Suboxone®)
- Methadone (Methadol®)
- Long Acting Morphine (Kadian®)
Risk of opioid overdose
The number one risk associated with opioid use disorder is opioid overdose, also known as opioid toxicity or poisoning. Opioid overdoses can be fatal. Know the signs of opioid overdose. Ask your healthcare team about Take-Home Naloxone Kits if you or someone you know are at risk of an opioid overdose. You can get a free Naloxone kit from Take-Home Naloxone Program Sites OR buy (without prescription) from some pharmacies.
