Previous Studies
The authors set the stage by reiterating key points about opioid use disorder (OUD)—that only one patient in five with OUD receives evidence-based treatment—the same low percentage as 20 years ago; that opioid overdose is now the nation’s leading cause of accidental death; that OUD is a chronic disease, and discontinuing treatment opens the door to significant relapse to opioids; that a longer period of treatment is better than a shorter one; and that OAT reduces opioid use, morbidity, and mortality from OUD, as well as all-cause mortality..
How Methadone Works
SUD results in abnormalities in levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. (Neurotransmitters are chemical substances involved in transferring nerve impulses.)
Results
Sustained OAT has had significantly better long-term outcomes than short-term detoxification or time-limited maintenance. Optimal outcomes are dependent on an adequate duration of treatment.