By prescribing a medication such a methadone or buprenorphine, the prescription suppresses withdrawal and drug cravings for 24 to 36 hours. This suppression allows for the addict to reduce or end their use of the illicit opioid and the risk factors that are associated with its use, such as criminal behavior associated with obtaining the drug and contracting diseases from using nonsterile injection equipment.

Support for medication-assisted treatment continues to grow. For more information on medication assisted treatment please visit the NCADI link below for the Treatment Improvement Protocol TIP 43 for Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Opioid Treatment Programs.

• NCADI
• SAMHSA Treatment
• SAMHSA Locator