Drug Overdose and Substance Use

Examining opioid overdose risk in the context of changing patterns of opioid prescribing and overdose

Dr. Allison Lin

Opioid overdose mortality continues to rise, but major shifts have occurred in the relative proportion of deaths attributed to specific opioids and other substances.  To examine risk factors and impacts of opioid reduction on opioid overdose, we will analyze 2012-2016 VHA data. Outcomes are unintentional opioid overdose deaths categorized by opioids involved: natural/semisynthetic, heroin, synthetic besides methadone and methadone.