Opioid agonist therapy

Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) is a treatment in which prescribed opioid agonists are given to patients who live with Opioid use disorder (OUD). In the case of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), methadone is used to treat dependence on heroin or other opioids, and is administered on an ongoing basis.

The benefits of this treatment include a more manageable withdrawal experience, cognitive improvement, and lower HIV transmission. The length of OAT varies from one individual to another based on their physiology, environmental surroundings, and quality of life.

The term medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) is used to describe medication including methadone and buprenorphine, which are used to treat patients with OUD.