Opioid addiction treatment

What is opioid addiction treatment?

Although opioid-related deaths dropped 27% from 2023 to 20241, the opioid epidemic still has a negative impact on many individuals — taking a toll on their health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Opioid addiction treatment is an effective way to manage opioid use disorder.

What is opioid addiction treatment?

Definition

Opioid addiction treatment is clinical care provided to individuals who have opioid use disorder (OUD), a chronic medical condition. 

Why it’s needed

Opioid addiction treatment aims to help patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) manage their symptoms and dependency. Without treatment, patients with OUD will continue experiencing side effects, which may include2: 

  • Dizziness
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Weakened immune system
  • Nausea + vomiting

There are different risk factors of untreated OUD with continued opioid use, which include:

  • Dying earlier than the general population3
  • Infections4
  • Respiratory problems4
  • Decreased sex hormones4

The most serious risk is overdose, which could cause brain damage5 or death.

Opioid addiction treatment provides the support and care necessary to reduce these risks. 

Common approaches to treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment is an evidence-based treatment option using prescription medications like methadone, naltrexone, or buprenorphine to treat the physical aspects of opioid addiction. Clinicians often combine MAT with behavior therapy and counseling for a whole-person treatment of OUD. 

Behavioral therapy + counseling

Behavioral therapy and counseling can help patients tackle their psychological dependence on opioids while addressing the root causes that led them to abuse opioids. By treating these mental and emotional components of OUD, patients may be better able to manage their OUD symptoms long term. 

Inpatient vs. outpatient programs

Inpatient OUD treatment involves staying in a hospital or specialized facility to receive care. By contrast, with outpatient treatment, individuals continue to live at home and attend scheduled treatment sessions, either in-person or through telemedicine appointments.

Online opioid addiction treatment

How online treatment works

In online opioid addiction treatment, patients meet with their care team over audio or video calls from the comfort of their homes. The providers talk to patients about their situation, come up with personalized treatment plans, and prescribe MAT if appropriate. 

Benefits of telehealth for OUD

Telehealth OUD treatment makes it much easier for patients to access the care they need. They don’t have to worry about finding a local treatment provider since they can connect with their care team remotely. Stigma may also be less of a concern because they receive treatment in complete privacy. 

Medications used in treatment

Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone)

Suboxone (important safety information) is a sublingual medication, meaning it’s placed under the tongue. Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone to reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. 

Methadone

Methadone is an oral  medication taken daily to treat OUD. Only licensed clinics can dispense Methadone.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is an opioid agonist, meaning it blocks the effects of opioids. Naltrexone is a monthly injection. 

Barriers to treatment access

Even though there are effective treatments for OUD, access is still a concern for many individuals due to:

Stigma + misconceptions

Patients seeking treatment for opioid addiction face difficult barriers, including stigma. They may face judgment and prejudice for their opioid dependency, making them feel like they cannot seek help6. 

Geographic and financial barriers

Patients may also struggle to find affordable OUD programs in their area. If the only available treatment center is 100 miles away or more, which is not unusual in rural areas, accessing treatment becomes much more difficult or even impossible. Opioid dependency programs are often very expensive, creating another barrier that may prevent patients from accessing care.

Programs like Ophelia exist to ensure these barriers don’t compromise the ability to effectively manage OUD.    

Finding the right treatment program

What to look for

Look for an opioid treatment program that offers affordable, evidence-based care that fits your needs. For many patients, a telehealth program is the best option because it offers the convenience, privacy, and flexibility necessary to access treatment. 

How to start with Ophelia

Begin your OUD treatment with Ophelia with a quick welcome call. Next, you’ll connect with your dedicated care team over video and create a customized treatment plan. If you’re eligible, your providers will send your Suboxone prescription to your local pharmacy. Your care team will be available to provide ongoing support throughout your treatment. 

Learn more about opioid addiction treatment

Links to related blog posts

Links to related glossary terms

Sources

  1. (14 May 2025). U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease Almost 27% in 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2025/20250514.htm 
  2. Opioids. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/21127-opioids 
  3. 3.Øystein, B. E., Eide, D., et al. (1 February 2024). Mortality risk and causes of death among people who use opioids in a take-home naloxone cohort. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871624000085 
  4. Slawek, D.E., Lu, T.Y., et al. (December 2018). Caring for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: What Clinicians Should Know About Comorbid Medical Conditions. Psychiatr Res Clin Pract. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9175890/      
  5. Brain Injury and Opioid Overdose: fast facts. National Association of State Head Injury Administrators. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://www.in.gov/health/overdose-prevention/files/NASHIA-Brain-Injury-and-Opioid-Overdose.pdf 
  6. Cheetham, A., Picco, et al. (2022). The Impact of Stigma on People with Opioid Use Disorder, Opioid Treatment, and Policy. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation. Retrieved June 25, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8800858/ 

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