New Study Reveals Elevated Rates and Key Risk Factors for Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses

A recent research study has shed light on the increasing incidence of non-fatal opioid overdoses, highlighting significant risk factors and elevated overdose rates within a community sample from New Haven. The study, led by Md. Safaet Hossain Sujan, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut, alongside faculty members Roman Shrestha and Michael Copenhaver, was published in the Journal of Community Health.

The investigation found that nearly 50% of the 199 participants had experienced at least one non-fatal overdose during their lifetime— a notably higher percentage compared to previous research, where rates ranged from 11% to 36%. This spike is partly attributed to ongoing patterns of polysubstance use, socioeconomic hardships, homelessness, and limited access to harm reduction services.

Unlike earlier studies conducted in treatment centers, this research recruited individuals from a syringe services program, providing a more community-focused perspective. The findings underscore that only about a quarter of individuals with opioid use disorder are engaged in formal treatment programs, and nearly 80% reported difficulties accessing addiction services in the past year.

Key factors associated with non-fatal overdoses included suicidal thoughts, depression, alcohol use disorder, and opioid dependence. Age also played a role; older participants appeared less likely to experience an overdose, possibly due to a greater tendency to test their drug supply.

The study emphasizes the importance of improving access to treatment and addressing mental health challenges in these populations. The team is also developing digital tools aimed at facilitating better intervention access for opioid use disorder while promoting enrollment in treatment programs.

Given the rising rates of overdose, especially with potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl, these findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that integrate harm reduction, mental health support, and accessible treatment options.

Source: Medical Xpress