Women’s Opioid Addiction
Unlike male addiction, women’s addiction to opioids is characterized by a unique set of risk factors. It is also possible to treat women who suffer from this condition by non-pharmacologic means. There are also treatments that can be administered in a hospital setting.
Treatment options
Various types of opioid addiction treatment programs are available. A few of the options include family therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and 12-step programs. There are also a number of programs aimed at youth. These programs help children and young adults with drug use problems.
MAT medications are prescribed to reduce cravings for opioids, as well as to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. These medications are generally available only in specific clinics. In addition to MAT medications, people in need may be eligible for Medicaid or state-run drug programs.
Medication-assisted treatment has been proven effective for patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. MAT medications can be taken safely for long periods of time, as long as they are used with professional medical supervision. However, people who take these medications have an increased risk of relapse.
People suffering from opioid addiction may also have mental health problems. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy that focuses on understanding the causes of drug use, and coping strategies to overcome them. This type of treatment has been proven effective in preventing relapse during treatment.
A person with an opioid use disorder may have difficulties at school, work, and with friends. These symptoms are similar to those of other types of substance use disorders. They may also lead to physical problems such as withdrawal symptoms and constipation.
A 12-step program, such as Narcotics Anonymous, provides social support to people in recovery. Those who participate in these programs have defined goals. These goals include acceptance, surrender, and active involvement in recovery.
Methadone and buprenorphine are medications used to treat opioid addiction. They work on the same opioid receptors as heroin and other opioid agonists. These medications can be administered as a monthly injection or under the tongue. Buprenorphine has been used for over 50 years to treat opioid addiction and has saved millions of lives.
The risk of overdose from opioids is very high. Symptoms of overdose include slowing breathing and loss of consciousness. If not treated immediately, an overdose can lead to death.
Medically monitored detox is a treatment option for people with moderate to severe opioid addiction. Withdrawal symptoms can be controlled through physical exercise, nutritional support, and psychological counseling. Medically supervised detoxification is also safe.
Non-pharmacologic treatment
Several new non-pharmacologic therapies have been developed to treat opioid addiction. However, there is a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of these interventions. Despite this, these treatments are increasingly sought after by healthcare providers.
Evidence-based nonpharmacologic strategies are important to reduce the risk of adverse events and to promote the dissemination of effective nonpharmacologic treatments. The current scoping review aims to identify gaps in the research literature for non-pharmacologic interventions in the treatment of acute pain in opioid-dependence patients. The preliminary literature search was conducted through PubMed, CINAHL, and the JBI Database of Systematic Reviews.
Non-pharmacologic interventions may include behavioral therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying functional cues and maladaptive thoughts. The effectiveness of CBT has been shown to improve abstinence rates and decrease psychological stress. Other non-pharmacological interventions may include acupuncture, biofeedback, meditation, low-level light therapy, and laser therapy.
Pharmacologic treatments for opioid use disorder include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. These treatments have been approved by the FDA. The main treatment is methadone, which is currently the most prescribed medication for OUD. However, buprenorphine has been shown to be extremely effective in clinical trials.
The opioid overdose rate has risen due to the increased use of prescription opioids, synthetic opioids, and heroin. It is expected that the number of opioid-related deaths will increase in the next few years. The rate is predicted to reach 700,000 by 2025.
The primary goals of treatment are abstinence from illicit drugs and preventing relapse. The best combination of treatment is psychosocial therapy. It may be used in conjunction with pharmacologic treatments or as a stand-alone intervention.
Relapse rates are still high. However, treatment responses can include diminished craving, lower frequency of use, and abstinence.
Relapse prevention approaches include identifying factors that increase the risk of opioid use, preventing exposure to high-risk situations, and offering strategies for mitigating the risks of abuse. In addition, behavioral therapies are used in structured settings. Psychosocial interventions may also be associated with greater adherence to treatment and lower rates of relapse.
There are several studies that examine the efficacy of non-pharmacologic interventions in the treatment of opioid use disorder. However, their interpretations are challenging due to differences in outcomes between studies.
Hospital treatment for opioid use disorder
Among patients treated for opioid use disorder, a small percentage received medication. However, a substantial majority of those with opioid use disorder return to drug use within 30 days. This suggests that the hospital treatment model is not a solution for the high overdose risk associated with opioid use disorder.
Hospitals can play a significant role in improving treatment outcomes for patients with OUD. Hospitals should provide medications, risk education, and harm reduction for patients with OUD. Patients should be reminded that the risk of overdose after tolerance is lost is high. This should be a part of any discharge plan.
Hospitals that focus on social determinants of health also have an opportunity to address disparities in care for patients with OUD. They can improve patient outcomes through care models that promote seamless transitions.
Hospitals that offer medication-assisted treatment, also known as AMCS, are likely to have higher treatment engagement and lower overdose risk. Medication-assisted treatment programs are proven to save lives. In addition, these programs are effective and safe for pregnant women.
In an era of drug overdoses, it is critical that physicians work to prevent opioid-related mortality. This is especially important for hospitalized patients with OUD. Studies have shown that 80% of these patients will return to drug use within 30 days. Physicians can do this by prescribing naloxone rescue medication, screening patients for infectious diseases, and offering appropriate treatments.
Patients should also be screened for HIV and blood-borne virus infections. Hospitals can also promote access to harm reduction services, which can reduce the risk of injection-related HIV and blood-borne virus infections.
Hospitals that have high concentrations of black and Hispanic residents should pay special attention to the role they can play in addressing disparities in care for patients with OUD. This study looked at the racial composition of counties and found that hospitals in highly black and Hispanic counties were less likely to offer targeted risk education and harm reduction.
Hospitals may also be able to initiate medication treatment for OUD as an outpatient or inpatient treatment option. This is beneficial for patients because it reduces overdose risk and promotes a positive transition to outpatient care.
Women’s unique set of risk factors
Compared to men, women face a number of unique risk factors for opioid addiction. Among these is a high prevalence of abuse-related trauma, the prevalence of untreated mental health disorders, and the cultural influence of substance abuse. Biological influences also play a role. Women tend to use opioids for longer periods of time and are often prescribed higher doses of medication.
Moreover, women have a higher risk of developing chronic pain, which increases the likelihood of becoming addicted. Other factors include legal issues, thrill-seeking behavior, and risk-taking behavior. These behaviors may lead women to relapse, which could be a barrier to long-term recovery.
Several studies have investigated the risk factors for opioid addiction among women. In one study, for example, women were found to have a 40% higher risk of chronic opioid use than men. In another study, women were found to have a higher risk of persistent opioid use after a surgical procedure. Compared to men, women were also found to have a higher risk of persistent postoperative pain.
However, these findings were not statistically significant. The results of this study suggest that women’s unique set of risk factors for opioid addiction is likely to have a significant impact on the success of opioid treatment programs.
Although there are many factors that contribute to women’s higher risk of addiction, many of these risk factors are likely due to societal pressures. For example, women tend to be prescribed higher doses of medications, be prescribed medication for a longer period of time, and have higher rates of chronic pain.
Other factors, such as sexual abuse and untreated mental health disorders, may also contribute to women’s risk of addiction. Regardless of the factors that contribute to women’s risk of addiction, it’s important for addiction treatment programs to be geared to meet the unique needs of women.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
