A Call to Action to Combat the Opioid Epidemic Among Women

Abstract

: Acknowledging the needs and challenges of women with opioid use disorder is an essential step to reduce the opioid epidemic in the United States. Efforts that can help women include increasing psychosocial services to address trauma, increasing access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder, reducing barriers and stigma that impede access to and retention on treatment, and addressing structural and policy barriers. This commentary discusses the reasons why women-focused treatment for opioid use disorder is necessary and makes specific recommendations for interventions, treatment, services, and policies that can reduce barriers to care and improve treatment and retention among women.