Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

What opioid use disorder means

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is the DSM-5-TR term for a problematic pattern of opioid use that leads to significant distress or difficulty in daily life. Opioids include prescription pain medicines as well as illegal drugs. OUD can develop after medical use as well as non-medical use, and like other substance use disorders it is described on a range from mild to severe.

Psychologists study OUD through the science of reward, stress and habit, and the social factors that shape risk and recovery. Public health bodies describe it as a treatable medical condition, and treatment combining medication with psychosocial support has strong research backing. Stigma is widely recognized as a barrier to seeking help.

Talking to a professional

Opioid use carries a risk of overdose, and both stopping and starting treatment involve medical considerations. A confidential assessment with a health professional is the safest way to explore options. If someone may have overdosed, call emergency services immediately.

Starting points include a primary care doctor (GP), addiction medicine specialists, specialist treatment and harm-reduction services, and free national helplines that explain local options. Psychologists and licensed counselors support longer-term recovery.

Before an appointment, it can help to note down your questions, what you have noticed and any medicines you already take. It is reasonable to ask about the options available, what the research says about them and what happens next. Good clinicians welcome questions and explain things in plain language.

Learn more

To learn more, see our pages on the psychology of addiction, the psychology of chronic pain and how to find a therapist. Our guide to types of mental health professionals explains who does what.