US county prevalence of retail prescription opioid sales and opioid-related hospitalizations from 2011 to 2014

摘要

Background: The role of prescription opioids in the opioid crisis has been well established. How the prevalence of prescription opioids relates to opioid hospitalizations has been understudied. Hospitalizations due to opioids are a distinct indicator of opioid misuse, have cost implications for health care systems, and may be an entry point into substance use treatment.