Opioid Use Disorder in Women and the Implications for Treatment

Abstract

Objective The opioid epidemic continues to evolve and impact all groups of people. Moreover, there are concerning trends among women. The aim of this article is to provide a review of opioid use disorder in women and the implications for treatment. Methods A nonsystematic review of the literature as conducted to examine: (1) the epidemiology of opioid‐related hospitalizations and deaths of women; (2) co‐occurring pain, anxiety disorders, and trauma among women with opioid use disorder; (3) evidence for opioid agonist treatment of pregnant women with opioid use disorder; and (4) implications for treatment of women with opioid use disorder and next steps for research and practice. Results The current opioid epidemic has produced important differences by sex and gender with increased rates of use and overdose deaths in women. Significant mental health concerns for women include co‐occurring psychiatric disorders and suicide. Expanding medication treatment for perinatal opioid use disorder is crucial. While effective treatments exist for opioid use disorder, they are often not accessible, and a minority of patients are treated. Conclusions The end to the opioid epidemic will require innovative multi‐systemic solutions. There are significant practice gaps in preventing rising death rates among women by opioid overdose, treating co‐occurring psychiatric disorders and pain, and treating perinatal women with opioid use disorder and their infants. Research on sex and gender differences, and the intersection with race/ethnicity and US region, is critically needed and should include treatment implementation studies to achieve wider access for women to effective prevention, early intervention, and treatment.