Exploring the Connection Between Medications for Addiction and Healthcare Resource Use

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In 2022, hospital admissions related to alcohol and opioid use disorder generated nearly $50 billion in healthcare expenditures.
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Only 2% of adults with alcohol use disorder and 30% with opioid use disorder received medication treatment in the past year.
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Patients receiving medications for alcohol use disorder had higher healthcare utilization, including emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
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Demographic analysis showed that those receiving medication for addiction tended to be older and more socioeconomically disadvantaged.
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The study's cross-sectional design limits the ability to determine causality between medication use and healthcare encounters.

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