Just 47 percent of Americans think opioid addiction is treatable, according to preliminary research sponsored by Cigna and conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
The bulk of the research is centered upon a survey conducted in June and July involving 304 medical and addiction practitioners and 2,800 additional individuals. The survey assessed the general public and medical practitioners' views of the opioid epidemic, particularly how it impacts veterans.
Here are five key findings.
1. While just 47 percent of the general public thinks opioid addiction is treatable, 70 percent of practitioners believe opioid addiction can be treated.
2. A majority (64 percent) of practitioners view individuals with opioid use disorder as "a lot like everyone else," compared to 47 percent of the general public.
3. Just 12 percent of the general public and 5 percent of practitioners believe opioid addiction is indicative of moral or personal weakness.
4. Seventy-two percent of practitioners and 62 percent of the general public believe treating veterans with opioid addiction is more complex than treating other individuals with the condition.
5. Sixty-five percent of practitioners and 44 percent of the general public think medication-assisted treatments is the most-effective method to help people stop using opioids.
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