A New Holistic Theoretical Framework to Inform Opioid Use Disorder Management

Opioid use disorders (OUDs) are a public health crisis. Individuals with OUD often have coexisting symptoms: smoking, chronic pain, and anxiety. These coexisting symptoms increase the prevalence and severity of OUD. To inform OUD management, a new holistic theoretical framework (Complexity of Opioid Use Disorder Model [COUDM]) is proposed by combining two theories: Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). TOUS and SDT comprehensively represent the complexity of the OUD experience, including influencing factors, interconnected conditions, and the motivation of individuals based on psychological needs that impact overall outcomes. Individuals receiving OUD treatment informed by SDT are more engaged and experience lower occurrences of drug relapse when they are intrinsically and autonomously motivated. COUDM encompasses the multidimensional aspects of OUD. To acquire a healthier and better future for OUD patients, novel frameworks to guide new approaches are needed. COUDM is a new theoretical framework, incorporating biopsychosocial factors and symptom clusters associated with OUD to improve treatment strategies.