The cost of opioid use disorder and the value of aversion

The consequences of opioid misuse impact human lives, families, and communities, and also have a societal and economic impact. This study analyzes the financial burden of the opioid epidemic to create a framework for responsible use of limited resources. Perspectives of taxpayers, society, and the healthcare sector are considered in estimating the mean value of opioid use disorder (OUD) aversion and are categorized by age. Data from 2015 – 2018 was used, a period which was marked by a decrease of OUD, but an increase in spending on the diagnosis. Most of this financial impact was attributed to an increasing amount of fentanyl supply and use. 

Investing in Prevention Makes Good Financial Sense

There are significant financial and societal benefits to investing in behavioral prevention strategies for high-risk behaviors among youth, in particular, mental health challenges and substance misuse. Prevention programs, including family-based interventions and community systems, have shown significant returns on investment, saving taxpayers much more than the program costs. Despite the proven effectiveness of these programs, challenges such as scaling, funding, and implementation remain. This article calls for greater prioritization of prevention, especially in light of rising fentanyl-related overdose deaths among adolescents.