There are three approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Dr. John Winhusen, a professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, shares how each of these medications works, their effectiveness, and dispels myths about MOUD in the most recent Ask the Expert series explainer.
Decades of research have shown that medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) reduce opioid use, the risk of non-fatal and fatal overdose, criminal activity, infectious disease transmission, and other adverse health and behavioral consequences. They also help improve social functioning, including the capacity to engage in work and family relationships, retention and adherence to treatment, and overall quality of life.
Dr. Winhusen is part of the HEALing Communities Study, a multi-site research study to test the integration of prevention, overdose treatment, and medication-based treatment in select communities hard hit by the opioid crisis. HEALing Communities is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative®.