Surviving The Opioid Epidemic “It’s A People, Places, Things Disease”

Abstract

On January 14, 2020, it was determined that the opioid crisis continues to be a public health emergency (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). In order to address this crisis, the nation needs to understand the lived experiences for opioid use survivors. Researchers interviewed eight participants who were in recovery from an opioid addiction. Interviews were a semi-structured format to gain specific information about the participants’ lived experiences. Information learned from these interviews were organized and analyzed to identify community resource strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for individuals on the road to recovery from an opioid addiction. These findings can aide communities to develop prevention and intervention strategies specifically targeting people most intimately impacted by an opioid addiction.