Lead Story: National trends of suicidal ideation and mental health services use among US adults with opioid use disorder, 2009–2020

Lead Story: National trends of suicidal ideation and mental health services use among US adults with opioid use disorder, 2009–2020

Ever wondered how opioid use disorder impacts mental health across different demographics? This episode of 'Addiction Medicine Unpacked' from ASAM dives into a comprehensive study on national trends in suicidal thoughts and mental health service usage among US adults with opioid use disorder from 2009 to 2020. The findings are eye-opening: suicidal ideation among this group has surged from 22.8% to 29.8%.

The episode breaks down which subgroups saw the most significant changes, including young adults, women, non-Hispanic whites, full-time workers, Medicaid recipients, urban dwellers, and those with other substance use disorders. Even more concerning, over half of those experiencing suicidal thoughts reported needing mental health treatment but didn't receive it. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for better mental health services for those battling opioid use disorder. But that's not all this episode covers.

You'll also hear about a clinical trial showing that real-cost vaping prevention ads can curb youth vaping and smoking, the impact of alcohol use on the health of people living with HIV, and the life-saving role of naloxone administered by law enforcement in New York State. Finally, there's a compelling discussion on why state drug paraphernalia laws need to be repealed to improve access to harm reduction services.

This episode is packed with crucial information and insights that could make a real difference in the field of addiction medicine.