What medication is commonly used for maintenance therapy for opiate use disorder?

Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid agonist that is widely used for maintenance therapy in individuals with opiate use disorder. It works by alleviating withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with opiate addiction without producing the same euphoric high that shorter-acting opioids do. This helps individuals stabilize their lives and reduce illicit opioid use, enabling them to engage in counseling and other supportive therapies that are crucial for recovery.

Methadone is administered under strict medical supervision, typically in a specialized clinic, and the dosage can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of the patient. It has been studied extensively and has proven effective in reducing the risk of overdose and facilitating long-term recovery.

Other medications listed, while relevant to opioid treatment, serve different purposes. Buprenorphine, for instance, is also a medication used in maintenance therapy but features a unique partial agonist property, which makes it effective, especially for transitioning patients. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that is more suited for individuals who have already achieved sobriety and is used to prevent relapse rather than for withdrawal management. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid primarily used for pain management and does not function as a treatment for opiate use disorder. In this context, it's important