According to a December 2025 data brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults diagnosed with OUD accounted for 4.8 health center visits per 1,000 U.S.adults in 2023. Nearly half of those visits included a prescription for buprenorphine, one of the primary medications used in addiction treatment.
The findings shed light on who is accessing care, how often co-occurring conditions appear and how commonly medication-assisted treatment is being used in community health settings.
Whose Most Likely to Visit Health Centers for OUD Care
The CDC report, based on data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey Health Center Component, found that adults ages 25 to 49 had the highest visit rate for opioid use disorder, at 7.7 visits per 1,000 adults.
Older adults aged 50 and over had a lower visit rate (3.1), while adults ages 18 to 24 had the lowest rate overall (0.8). The data showed no statistically significant difference in visit rates between men and women.
Health centers, often federally funded clinics serving underserved populations, play a key role in providing addiction treatment to people who may otherwise face barriers to care.
Co-Occurring Substance Use Is Common
Nearly 45% of health center visits by adults with opioid use disorder included at least one additional substance use diagnosis.
The most common co-occurring conditions were Nicotine use disorder (29.0%), cocaine or stimulant use disorder (16.4%) and alcohol use disorder (11.2%).
These findings highlight the complexity of addiction treatment, where many patients require care that addresses multiple substance use issues at the same time.
Mental Health Conditions Frequently Appear Alongside OUD
Mental health disorders were documented in more than half (52.9%) of OUD related health center visits.
The most frequently diagnosed conditions were mood disorders (36.3%) and anxiety disorders (33.8%).
Other documented diagnoses included post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD and schizophrenia. The prevalence of co-occurring mental health conditions underscores the importance of integrated addiction and mental health treatment approaches.
Medication Treatment Is Widely Used but Not Universal
At 53% of health center visits for adults with OUD, at least one FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder was documented.
Buprenorphine was by far the most common, appearing in 49.6% of visits, while methadone and naltrexone were each documented in fewer than 3% of visits.
While the data suggests broad adoption of medication-assisted treatment in health centers, it also indicates that a significant share of visits did not include these medications, pointing to ongoing access or treatment continuity challenges.
What This Means for People Seeking Addiction Treatment
This CDC report highlights several important realities for people exploring rehab or addiction treatment options. Opioid addiction treatment often involves co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions
Medication-assisted treatment, particularly buprenorphine, is widely used but not guaranteed at every care setting. Community health centers remain a critical access point, especially for individuals with limited healthcare options
For those seeking treatment, understanding whether a rehab center offers integrated mental health care, medication-assisted treatment and insurance-friendly options can be an important part of the decision-making process.
Exploring Treatment Options
If you or a loved one is affected by opioid use disorder, learning about available treatment options can help clarify next steps.
Rehab.com offers a list of local rehab centers you can compare to determine the best options for your needs. You can also call
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