The opioid overdose epidemic continues to claim lives across the country with a record 47,600 overdose deaths in 2017[i]. The crisis is taking an especially devastating toll on certain parts of the U.S. workforce. High rates of opioid overdose deaths have occurred in industries with high injury rates and physically demanding working conditions such as construction, mining, or fishing[ii],[iii]. Other job factors such as high job demands, job insecurity, and lack of control over tasks have also been linked to opioid use[iv]. Medication-assisted treatment* (MAT) has been effective for many people with opioid use disorder (OUD), allowing them to regain control of their OUD[v],[vi]. A new resource from NIOSH, “Workplace Solutions: Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder” provides general information about MAT and information for employers wishing to assist or support workers with OUD.
MAT uses medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat OUD involving misuse of prescription and/or illicit opioids. The medications reduce the cravings for, and the euphoria (extreme pleasure) experienced from, opioids. They also lower the risk of the dangerous side effects of opioids [v]. Some medications may also reduce the risk of subsequent overdose. Three drugs commonly used in MAT are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Descriptions of each drug and possible side effects are included in the MAT Workplace Solutions.