Prevalence of opioid abuse varies based on age and gender. Men are at higher risk for opioid abuse than women, for instance, but are more likely to seek treatment. Men also account for more opioid overdoses than women, although this gap is closing. Women are more likely to be prescribed pain relievers, be given higher doses, use them for longer, and may become dependent faster.
Opioid deaths also tend to skew older than deaths for other drugs, although this isn’t necessarily reflective of opioid abuse as a whole. Opioid overdoses are highest among individuals in their 40’s and 50’s, in contrast to heroin overdoses, which are highest among individuals in their 20’s and 30’s. 21 – 35 year olds represent 77% of Opioid Use Disorder patients entering
Opioid deaths also tend to skew older than deaths for other drugs, although this isn’t necessarily reflective of opioid abuse as a whole. Opioid overdoses are highest among individuals in their 40’s and 50’s, in contrast to heroin overdoses, which are highest among individuals in their 20’s and 30’s. 21 – 35 year olds represent 77% of Opioid Use Disorder patients entering