The fear is real (and personal): Concerns about opioid use and addiction experiences among the public*

Abstract

Examining concern regarding opioids is highly salient given the risk such drugs present to the public. Relatedly, there is a need to understand the experiences of those who have family members struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), particularly opioid use disorder (OUD). Drawing on Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) survey data, this study explores four research questions. First, what proportion of respondents believe that the U.S. is experiencing an opioid crisis? Second, what factors are associated with this concern? Third, what percent of respondents have family members who are dependent on substances, including prescription pain pills, heroin, and fentanyl? Fourth, what percentage of respondents have experienced worsening mental health, financial situations, and relationships due to addiction, and what variables are associated with these conditions? Most of the sample (53%) expressed concern about the opioid problem. Greater concern was evident across women, members of the LGBT community, lower income respondents, and those who have had familial experiences with SUD/OUD. Approximately 30% of the public had a loved one with SUD/OUD and about 5% reported a personal SUD/OUD history. A majority of participants with a history of self and/or familial drug addiction disclosed that this experience has had an adverse impact on their own mental health (70.7%), their family's financial situation (58.1%), and their relationship with their family (74.9%). The extent of these harms varies by specific factors, which may derive from stigma variation, the impact of differential criminalization, and inequities across service access, as well as socio-demographic characteristics. Implications are discussed.