Socio-Economic Impact on Opioid Addiction Susceptibility

Abstract

The primary purpose of the study is to determine the socio-economic impact on opioid addiction susceptibility. Over the last few years, there has been a general increasing population of people addicted to opioids. Although the drug is often used for pain management, it is highly addictive. A descriptive research design was used to conduct the study, where twelve journal articles were used to analyze the status of opioid addiction and relationship to socio-economic factors. The results section identified several socioeconomic variables increasing people’s vulnerability to opioid addiction including unemployment, income level, family relationship, community participation, and opium usage in households. Additionally, easy access to opioids that are sold in local drug store increases susceptibility to addiction and the study also notes doctors are prescribing opioids for patients particularly those individuals enrolled in public health insurance programs. Low socioeconomic status is associated with higher risk of opioid addiction compared to high socioeconomic status, but individual decisions also play a critical role in facilitating the crisis.