UNDERSTANDING OPIOIDS WITHIN A DEVELOPMENTAL CONTEXT
he recent explosion of opioid addiction and its public health consequences have overwhelmed treatment and community resources. As the population of chronic opioid users expands, it has become clear that the impact of opioid use during different developmental windows may have distinct consequences. Such developmental periods certainly include fetal exposure, which has dramatically increased over the past decade; but also includes use during adolescence and in elderly populations. In addition to the direct effects of opioids, it is now recognized that elevated risk of certain mental illnesses across development can influence both the incidence of and outcomes associated with opioid use disorder. Moreover, the role of polysubstance use on long-term outcomes associated with opioids must also be considered.
