What The SocialCareRx Initiative Funds

Unemployment and its consequences have a detrimental effect on opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose deaths. 

• One study showed that a 1% increase in the unemployment rate was associated with a 3.6% increase in the opioid-related death rate and a 7% increase in the opioid-related emergency department utilization rate at the county level.

Employment improves remission of OUD. 

• In a 33-year longitudinal study of those with heroin use disorder, employment was strongly associated with abstinence.

Employment has a protective effect on OUD treatment outcomes.

•  Employment was found to be predictive of treatment completion, and the best predictor of post-treatment recovery at six months was an increase in months employed.

Housing insecurity is a risk factor for OUD and overdose deaths. 

• Evidence suggests that this insecurity has been increasing over time among those seeking treatment for OUD. 
• In one US state, the risk of death from an opioid overdose was 30 times higher for those that have experienced homelessness compared with the rest of the population.

Education can be a path to opportunities associated with higher socioeconomic status for those with OUD. 

• OUD can present barriers to education and thus for better jobs and income. Those with drug possession convictions are often barred from federal student loans and have difficulties obtaining college grants and scholarships.

Education has been shown to be a protective factor in drug overdose deaths. 

• The highest rates  of overdose are among those who did not finish high school and lowest among those who finished college. 

Bohler, R., Thomas, C.P., Clark, T.W., Horgan, C.M. (2021). Addressing the Opioid Crisis through Social Determinants of Health: What Are Communities Doing?. Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University.