8 Facts About Opioid Use Disorder That Debunk the Myths

Myths about opioid use disorder (OUD) often overshadow the facts about this mental health condition. Harmful misconceptions can fuel stigma, limit access to treatment, and influence health policies that block proven care.

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In reality, OUD is a chronic (long-term) condition that can affect anyone, and recovery is possible with the right support. Replacing judgment with accurate information about OUD helps create more pathways to healing. This article shares facts about OUD that debunk some of the most common myths.

1. Opioid Use Disorder Can Happen With Prescription or Nonprescription Opioids

Access to opioids is one of the main risk factors for OUD. A prescription for an opioid pain reliever can sometimes be the first step toward developing dependence or OUD. Examples of prescription opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. People may also access these medicines through a family member or friend.

In the early 2000s, most people with OUD reported that a prescription opioid was their first exposure to opioids. This marked a major shift from the 1960s, when 80 percent said their first opioid was heroin — a nonprescription opioid. Some people switch between prescription and nonprescription opioids, depending on what’s available.

2. Even Short-Term Opioid Use Raises the Risk

Opioids might be prescribed short term to manage pain after an injury or surgery. With proper medical supervision, this rarely leads to OUD.

However, research shows that using prescription opioids for more than a few days significantly raises the risk of long-term use. A 2017 study found that starting with the third day, the risk of chronic opioid use increased with each day of opioid use.

Opioids reduce the body’s natural production of endorphins — the body’s “feel-good” chemicals that help relieve pain and boost mood. This can lead to tolerance, in which the same dose no longer provides the same relief or pleasure. As tolerance builds, people may develop cravings and take higher doses. If opioids are reduced or stopped, withdrawal symptoms such as muscle aches, anxiety, sweating, or diarrhea may occur. People may continue taking higher doses of opioids to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

3. Opioid Use Disorder Affects People of All Backgrounds

Opioid use disorder affects people across all ages, racial and ethinic backgrounds, and income levels.

Although OUD is most common in younger adults, it’s also rising among older adults. In 2020, an estimated 5.7 million older adults in the United States required addiction treatment for a substance use disorder, including OUD.

Research also shows that heroin use has increased in people across all races and ethnic groups. In the U.S., heroin use and prescription opioid misuse are highest among white individuals.

These trends highlight that OUD isn’t confined to one group of people.

4. Synthetic Opioids Drive Drug-Related Deaths in the US

Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are the leading cause of opioid overdose deaths in the United States. These lab-made drugs can be up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Illegally manufactured fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin or methamphetamine.

Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 77,600 died from drug overdoses in the 12 months ending March 2025. These figures from the National Vital Statistics System may be updated as additional records are processed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in 2017. Research from 2021 showed that fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were linked to 87 percent of opioid-related overdose deaths.

5. Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Help People Sustain Recovery

Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) refers to drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help people reduce or stop taking opioids. Even though some of these are also opioid medications, taking MOUD doesn’t mean you’re trading one addiction for another.

The three FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder — methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone — work in different ways. Methadone and buprenorphine help prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids in the brain and may help reduce cravings. All three have been found to be effective treatments for people with OUD.

Health experts recommend MOUD as a first-line treatment for OUD. Research shows that these medications support long-term recovery by helping people stay in treatment programs, lowering the risk of overdose, and improving quality of life.

6. Relapse Is Common and Doesn’t Mean Treatment Failed

Relapse is common and often a normal part of recovery for people with OUD. A relapse happens when a person returns to opioid use after a period of abstinence. It’s estimated that 65 percent to 70 percent of people with OUD will relapse.

It can take some time to find the right combination of treatment strategies to successfully treat OUD. In many cases, it can take five to six attempts before a person with OUD is able to maintain changes for recovery.

Experiencing a relapse doesn’t mean that treatment has failed or that recovery is impossible. Instead, it’s an opportunity to learn more about opioid use triggers and adjust the treatment plan.

7. Many People With Opioid Use Disorder Are in Long-Term Recovery

There’s no cure for OUD, but treatments can help people reduce opioid use and support a return to work, school, family, and the community. The best OUD treatment plan depends on individual needs. Long-term recovery often involves a combination of strategies, including MOUD, behavioral therapy, and support groups.

Most people have a better chance of successful treatment if they take a MOUD. A 2024 study found that over an 18-month period, people taking these medications were better able to abstain from opioid use, maintain their health, and stay employed.

Similar to other chronic medical conditions, OUD requires long-term care. Recovery is a journey, not a single event, and many people in long-term recovery lead stable, fulfilling lives. With consistent treatment, support, and self-care, many people can manage OUD effectively and rebuild their personal, professional, and social well-being.

8. Stigma Around Opioid Use Disorder Creates Barriers to Care

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stigma as a mark of shame or disapproval that can lead to rejection, discrimination, or exclusion. Substance use disorders are some of the most stigmatized medical conditions. Some people hold negative attitudes toward those with OUD, believing they’re dangerous or that their condition reflects a personal moral failing. People with OUD can also internalize these beliefs, resulting in shame and guilt.

When public stigma influences healthcare policy, it can be harder to access highly effective treatments, like medications for opioid use disorder. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that fewer than 20 percent of people with OUD receive MOUD. Stigma from community and healthcare providers contributes to the low rate.

Improving access to OUD treatment, such as including addiction medicine specialists in hospitals, can lead to better health outcomes and stronger communities. Treating people with empathy, not judgment, may help improve access to appropriate care and improve recovery success.

Join the Conversation

On MyOpioidRecoveryTeam, people share their experiences with opioid use disorder, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What myths or stigma have you encountered? How have OUD myths affected your life and treatment? Let others know in the comments below.