How Opioid Use Disorder Intersects with Serious Illness and Chronic Pain

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major health challenge in the United States, with close to 70,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2020 alone. The COVID-19 pandemic is compounding this further, with more than 40 states reporting an increase in overdose mortality. Federal and state governments have increased efforts to address the opioid epidemic by discouraging risky opioid prescribing, and expanding access to treatment for opioid use disorder and harm reduction services.

This webinar features national experts from the fields of palliative care and addiction medicine to discuss the intersection of chronic pain, serious illness, and palliative care. By the end of the webinar, hosted by Drs. Diane E. Meier, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, and Jessica Merlin, MD, PhD, MBA, participants will understand the connection points between chronic pain; OUD and substance use disorder (SUD); and serious illness. They will also be able to identify factors that impact decision-making for medically complex patients, and define key terms used to describe OUD, SUD, and chronic pain.