Medicine for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

What is tolerance?

Over time, your body adjusts to the dose of opioids you take.  As a result, it responds less to the same dose.

In order to get the same effect, you must take a higher dose.  The process of needing more opioid for the same effect is called tolerance.

What is dependence?

Dependence is the body’s natural way to  respond to opioid use.  It is a physical change.  The body starts to rely on the presence of opioids in order to function right.

What is addiction?

Addiction is a brain disorder.  It results in compulsive behavior and loss of control around opioids.

Addiction happens because a reward pathway is activated in the brain.  When this reward pathway is active, people want to use opioids, even if the drugs cause bad results.

Why can’t people just stop using opioids?

Using opioids can change the chemistry in your body and brain. This change often results in tolerance.  You need more of the drug to feel the same effects.

Tolerance does not always lead to addiction.  However, it often drives poor behaviors. 

After long-term use, a person can no longer make decisions or make other choices, even when they know there will be bad results from opioid use.

What is Medicine for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)?

MOUD is also called MAT (Medicine Assisted Treatment).  It uses medicines and therapy to reduce cravings and withdrawal. Three medicines are approved for this purpose:

• Methadone fully activates the opioid receptor.  It helps reduce cravings and symptoms of withdrawal.
• Buprenorphine (with or without naloxone) only partly activates the opioid receptor.  It helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Naltrexone blocks the rewarding effects of opioids. It is also used for alcohol abuse.

Where can I get MOUD?

An Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)

• OTPs can provide methadone and buprenorphine.
• There are many programs throughout the state. They often require that you come to their location each day to receive your medicine.
• People can be allowed to take home doses after a certain amount of time in the program.

Your primary care provider’s office

• Any provider can prescribe naltrexone.
• Providers with extra training can prescribe buprenorphine.
• Methadone cannot be prescribed in clinic settings for opioid use disorder.
• You can receive MOUD in a provider’s office if the provider has a waiver that allows them to prescribe these medicines. 
• There is a limit to how many patients they can treat at a time.

Ask your provider for more information or visit SAMHSA.gov.