Abstract

Background: Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) often have complex health care needs. Methadone is one of the medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) used in the management of OUDs. Highly restrictive methadone treatment—which requires patient compliance with many rules of care—often results in low retention, especially if there is inadequate support from healthcare providers (HCPs). Nevertheless, HCPs should strive to offer patient-centred care (PCC) as it is deemed the gold standard to care. Such an approach can encourage patients to be actively involved in their care...

This infographic shows the different types of medications prescribed for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction.

Medications for opioid addiction, overdose, and withdrawal work in various ways.

• Opioid Receptor Agonist: Medications attach to opioid receptors in the brain to block withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• Opioid Receptor Partial Agonist: Medications attach to and partially activate opioid receptors in the brain to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• Opioid Receptor Antagonist: Medications block activity of opioid receptors in the brain to prevent euphoric effects (the high)...