Sign in Subscribe
Mental health

Opioid Use Disorder in Adolescents: Alarmingly Low Treatment Rates

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study sheds light on the growing concern of opioid use disorder (OUD) among adolescents in the United States. Research conducted by Arizona State University and published in Health Affairs reveals that only 30.8% of adolescents aged 12-17 with OUD received any past-year substance use treatment. The study highlights the need for improved policies and programs to address adolescent OUD, particularly in regards to screening, care coordination, treatment quality, and accessibility.

Key Takeaways:

  • Only 30.8% of adolescents with opioid use disorder (OUD) received any past-year substance use treatment, according to the 2022-23 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
  • Criminal-legal system referrals were more prevalent in adolescent (27.8%) than adult (17.0%) opioid-related treatment admissions.
  • Medications for OUD were included in a lower share of adolescent (9.5%) versus adult (36.4%) admissions.
  • Fewer than one in four (23.3%) OUD treatment facilities reported offering an adolescent-tailored group or program.
  • The numbers of facilities with adolescent-tailored programs varied widely by state and program type.
  • For adolescents, 27.8% of opioid-related treatment admissions were due to criminal-legal system referrals, compared to 17.0% of adult admissions.
  • Only 9.5% of adolescents received OUD medication as part of their treatment, compared to 36.4% of adults.

Statistics:

  • 30.8% of adolescents with OUD received any past-year substance use treatment, according to the 2022-23 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
  • 27.8% of adolescent opioid-related treatment admissions were due to criminal-legal system referrals.
  • 17.0% of adult opioid-related treatment admissions were due to criminal-legal system referrals.
  • 9.5% of adolescents received OUD medication as part of their treatment.
  • 36.4% of adults received OUD medication as part of their treatment.
  • 23.3% of OUD treatment facilities reported offering an adolescent-tailored group or program.

Sources:

  • Fewer Than 1 In 3 Adolescents With Past-year Opioid Use Disorder Received Substance Use Treatment, 2022-23. Health Affairs, 2025;44(9):1060-1069.
  • Project Hope, 7500 Old Georgetown Rd, Ste 600, Bethesda, MD 20814-6133, USA
  • Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
  • Manuel Cano, Arizona State University
  • Nika Hernandez, Natasha S. Mendoza, and Sarah M. Bagley (Additional authors)

Read more