Opioid Agonist Therapies

Agonist therapies for opioid use disorder prevent withdrawal and reduce cravings by offering pharmaceutical opioid alternatives to street drugs in a prescribed setting.

People living with opioid use disorder experience serious withdrawal symptoms when their supply is interrupted, including severe pain and nausea. It is unrealistic to expect long-term users to simply quit “cold turkey.”

The aim is to help bring stability to the patient by freeing them from the daily need to procure illegal drugs so they can better manage their medical, legal and personal issues.

Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is an evidence-based medical option that aims to:

• Reduce overdose deaths and the diseases of unsafe-injection
• Engage drug users in treatment options
• Benefit the community by reducing criminal activity

OAT treatments typically involve buprenorphine/naloxone, methadone and slow-release oral morphine. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for everyone – some report side effects and others continue to feel cravings.