What should be done for a patient suffering from opioid use disorder?

For a patient suffering from opioid use disorder, arranging treatment for opioid use disorder is essential because this condition is a complex, chronic disease requiring a comprehensive approach. Opioid use disorder is characterized by a strong craving for opioids, loss of control over their use, and the continuation of use despite adverse consequences.

Treatment options typically include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which combines behavior therapy and medications such as buprenorphine or methadone. These medications help to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, allowing individuals to stabilize and work toward recovery. Furthermore, integrating counseling and psychological support with this treatment enhances the chances of recovery by addressing the underlying issues contributing to substance use.

While counseling and monitoring compliance might play roles in a comprehensive care plan, they alone do not address the critical need for evidence-based treatment of the disorder itself. Simply advising a patient to stop all medications or only referring them to counseling might lead to withdrawal symptoms or exacerbate their condition without providing the necessary medical support to help them manage their addiction effectively. Thus, the most appropriate and effective course of action is to arrange treatment specifically tailored to address opioid use disorder.