Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Options

If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid use disorder, it’s vital to know that proven, evidence-based treatment options are available. These treatments work by restoring brain balance and significantly reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Yet medication alone is rarely enough. Most successful recovery plans combine pharmacological treatment with counselling and social support. Understanding the available opioid use disorder treatment options can help you make informed choices that support long-term recovery.

Understanding Opioid Use Disorder and Its Impact

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic condition with far-reaching effects on physical health, mental well-being, and social relationships. It is defined by a pattern of opioid use leading to significant impairment or distress, and it can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.

What Is Opioid Use Disorder?

OUD is more than just frequent drug use; it involves a loss of control over opioid consumption. Patients may find themselves taking larger doses than intended, experiencing intense cravings, or struggling with opioid withdrawal syndrome when attempting to stop.

Symptoms may include prioritising opioid use over responsibilities, continued opioid use despite negative consequences, and the development of tolerance and physical dependence. OUD is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a type of substance use disorder.

Causes and Risk Factors

There is no single cause of opioid addiction. Common risk factors include long-term use of prescription opioids, genetic predisposition, mental health conditions like depressive disorder and opioid dependence, and social or environmental stressors.

Using opioids in combination with other substances or while lacking appropriate medical supervision increases the risk. People affected by addiction often have complex backgrounds, including histories of trauma or poverty.

Consequences of Untreated OUD

When left untreated, OUD can lead to serious health, social, and legal consequences. The most immediate threat is opioid overdose, which may result in respiratory failure and death, particularly when synthetic opioids like fentanyl are involved.

Long-term opioid use is also associated with cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal complications. Mental health often deteriorates, with anxiety, isolation, and depression becoming more common. The risk of overdose death increases substantially in people with opioid use disorders who do not access appropriate care.

Evidence-Based Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Options

Treating opioid addiction requires a medical approach. Evidence-based opioid use disorder treatment options focus on managing both the physiological and behavioural aspects of the disorder. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), detoxification, and long-acting formulations are key components.

Medication-Assisted Treatment Approaches

MAT combines approved medications with behavioural treatments and counselling. This holistic approach is designed to treat opioid use disorder comprehensively, not merely suppress symptoms.

MAT significantly reduces the risk of relapse and helps patients with opioid use disorder regain stability. Regular consultations with a medical provider, progress monitoring, and integrated therapy are core features of this approach.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

The most common medications used include methadone, buprenorphine (and its formulations like Suboxone and Sublocade), and naltrexone (e.g., Vivitrol).

Methadone is a full opioid agonist used in supervised settings. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist often prescribed for home use or through community clinics. Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, blocks the euphoric effects of opioids but requires complete detoxification before use.

Each medication for opioid use disorder has its advantages, and the right option depends on the individual’s medical history, preferences, and lifestyle.

Detoxification and Withdrawal Management

Detoxification is the first step in managing opioid dependence, involving the safe removal of opioids from the body. Medically supervised detox reduces complications associated with withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Symptoms of withdrawal can include sweating, restlessness, muscle pain, diarrhoea, and emotional instability. Medication-assisted detox, especially using methadone or buprenorphine, can reduce discomfort and prevent medical emergencies.

While detox is necessary, it should always be followed by long-term treatment to address the root causes of addiction and reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Long-Acting Injectable Therapies

Injectable formulations like Sublocade (buprenorphine) and Vivitrol (naltrexone) offer long-term control of opioid cravings. These options help maintain consistent medication levels and reduce the risk of missed doses.

For people who struggle with daily adherence or prefer less frequent interventions, these long-acting treatments are a valuable alternative. They are typically combined with ongoing treatments or participation in outpatient or intensive outpatient treatment.

Behavioural and Supportive Interventions

Effective treatment for opioid use disorder extends beyond medication. Behavioural treatment, counselling, and peer support are essential for building resilience, addressing co-occurring issues, and supporting recovery.

Therapy and Counselling

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and contingency management are frequently used techniques in addiction treatment. These treatments aim to change thought patterns, promote healthy behaviours, and strengthen commitment to change.

One-on-one and group therapy sessions provide confidential environments for exploring challenges, identifying triggers, and learning coping mechanisms. 

Support Groups and Peer Services

Peer recovery services and support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery, offer mutual support and shared understanding. These community-based settings reduce stigma, promote accountability, and foster connection.

Support groups can be a lifeline for people who use opioids, particularly during periods of vulnerability. Peer mentors often play an active role in treatment services, guiding others through the ups and downs of recovery.

Personalised Recovery Plans

Recovery plans should reflect the unique needs and goals of each person. These plans often incorporate medications for addiction, therapy, and practical assistance such as housing or employment support.

A personalised plan may evolve in response to progress or new challenges. It allows for better treatment outcomes by focusing on both clinical goals and real-world needs.

Access, Harm Reduction, and Legal Considerations

Access to treatment can be influenced by factors such as geography, stigma, policy, and funding. In parallel, harm reduction and legal frameworks play critical roles in reducing overdoses and promoting health equity.

Health and Behavioural Services

In the UK, opioid treatment is primarily delivered through the NHS and local clinics. Services typically include opioid agonist treatment, mental health support, and outpatient therapy.

Agencies such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Department of Health provide treatment improvement protocol guidance for care providers. These frameworks aim to deliver integrated support that addresses substance abuse and mental health needs.

Harm Reduction Strategies

Harm reduction includes naloxone distribution, supervised consumption sites, and clean needle exchanges. These services help reduce opioid overdose deaths and the transmission of infectious diseases.

Organisations aligned with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the World Health Organisation advocate for these strategies, especially in areas with high rates of illicit drug use or limited access to traditional treatment.

Addressing Stigma and Social Barriers

Social stigma around opioid use disorder often prevents people from seeking help. Public education and professional training are essential to countering misconceptions and improving access to treatment services.

Respectful, person-centred care and peer-led support can increase engagement and reduce dropout. Tackling stigma is a necessary step toward ensuring that treatment for people with opioid use disorder is compassionate and inclusive.

Regulatory and Legal Factors

Legal regulations impact how medication-assisted treatment is provided, particularly regarding access to methadone and buprenorphine. Differences in licensing, funding, and prescribing rules influence the availability of care.

Advocacy efforts aim to expand access to opioid substitution treatment, improve insurance coverage, and protect patient privacy. A supportive legal environment helps ensure that effective treatment reaches those who need it.

Choosing the Right Setting for Opioid Use Disorder Recovery

Treatment for opioid use disorder should address more than just symptoms; it should also support healing in body, mind, and environment. PROMIS offers this kind of care, with a focus on personalised recovery plans, psychological support, and medical safety.

Based in the UK, our services include access to therapies that help individuals manage trauma, regulate emotions, and maintain progress after discharge. For those navigating recovery, having access to such comprehensive care can make a measurable difference.