Outpatient Opioid Prescriptions are Associated with Future Substance use Disorders and Overdose Following Adolescent Trauma

Retrospective cohort study of 669 adolescent trauma patients demonstrates that outpatient opioid prescriptions significantly increase risk of substance use disorders and overdose. Each refill in the first 3 months post-discharge increases SUD likelihood by 55%, while long-term use over 2-4 years correlates with overdose risk.