La epidemia de la medicina moderna: adicción a los opioides

Background: in recent years, several countries have experienced an increase in the number of opioid overdoses. This phenomenon is due, in part, to their greater availability for the treatment of chronic pain, as well as the increased use of highly potent substances present in the illicit drug market, which can lead to abuse and dependence. Opioid addiction is a global public health crisis, affecting millions, and represents a major public health challenge due to its impact on individuals and societies. Objective: to conduct an evaluation of prevention tactics and assess more effective methods to address the existing problem and reduce its impact on population health. Methods: a literature review on opioid addiction was conducted using various databases, including the Virtual Health Library (VHL), PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, and SciELO. The keywords used were: “Opioids,” “Opioid addiction,” “Pathophysiology,” “Overdose,” and “Prevalence.” Data from the last five years were used. Conclusions: the opioid crisis is a multifaceted problem that requires a comprehensive strategy, including joint prevention efforts and rigorous control of analgesics, to mitigate its impact on global health.