Evidence Review Finds Link between Nonmedical Opioid Use and Heroin Use

​A review article in the January 14, 2016, New England Journal of Medicine highlighted the association between prescription opioid abuse and heroin addiction, noting that nonmedical use of opioids is a "strong risk factor" for heroin use. Studies analyzed in the review found that 50% to 77% of heroin users reported they had abused prescription opioids before turning to heroin. Interventions focused on opioid prescribing practices have begun to yield a reduction in the illicit supply of prescription opioids, according to the available data, without a corresponding increase in heroin-related deaths, suggesting that more prevalent and consistent prescribing guidelines should be helpful.