Health(care) in the Crisis: Reflections in Science and Society on Opioid Addiction

Abstract

Opioid abuse and misuse have led to an epidemic which is currently spreading worldwide. Since the number of opioid overdoses is still increasing, it is becoming obvious that current rather unsystematic approaches to tackle this health problem are not effective. This review suggests that fighting the opioid epidemic requires a structured public health approach. Therefore, it is important to consider not only scientific and biomedical perspectives, but societal implications and the lived experience of groups at risk as well. Hence, this review evaluates the risk factors associated with opioid overdoses and investigates the rates of chronic opioid misuse, particularly in the context of chronic pain as well as post-surgery treatments, as the entrance of opioids in people’s lives. Linking pharmaceutical biology to narrative analysis is essential to understand the modulations of the usual themes of addiction and abuse present in the opioid crisis. This paper shows that patient narratives can be an important resource in understanding the complexity of opioid abuse and addiction. In particular, the relationship between chronic pain and social inequality must be considered. The main goal of this review is to demonstrate how a deeper transdisciplinary-enriched understanding can lead to more precise strategies of prevention or treatment of opioid abuse.

Examining Racial/Ethnic Differences in Patterns of Opioid Prescribing: Results from an Urban Safety-Net Healthcare System

“…The opioid epidemic remains a major public health crisis [1][2][3][4]. Despite increased attention and efforts to reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality, the number of opioidrelated overdose deaths continues to rise [5,6].…”

The roles of ubiquitin–proteasome system and regulator of G protein signaling 4 in behavioral sensitization induced by a single morphine exposure

“…Opioid abuse and addiction are not only medical problems that limit the clinical application of opioids but they also cause accidental death and many social problems (Damiescu et al., 2021; Ehrlich et al., 2019; United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime, 2020). Currently, methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are mainly used to treat opioid addiction, but the existing treatment methods generally have shortcomings such as poor medication compliance and a high rate of relapse (Volkow et al., 2019).…”

Can Essential Oils Provide an Alternative Adjuvant Therapy for COVID-19 Infections and Pain Management at the Same Time?

“…It has been demonstrated that the opioid epidemic is a complex public health problem that requires transdisciplinary approaches in order assure successful patient outcomes [8]. The first and hardest step in treating opioid misuse is going through the opioid withdrawal phase.…”