Mental health
Medicines for Opioid use disorder
A dependence on opioids (such as heroin or prescription painkillers) that is harmful and hard to control — a treatable medical condition with effective support and treatment.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Opioid use disorder?
Opioid use disorder is a condition in which a person becomes dependent on opioids — a group of drugs that includes heroin and prescription painkillers such as codeine, morphine and oxycodone — and continues using them despite harm. Opioids are powerfully addictive: the body and brain adapt, so stopping causes withdrawal symptoms (such as aches, sweating, agitation, cramps and diarrhoea), and strong cravings drive continued use.
- How it is treated: Treatment is provided by drug and alcohol services and is often very effective.
- Self-care: Engaging with drug treatment services and substitution treatment, carrying and knowing how to use naloxone (and ensuring those around also know), avoiding mixing opioids with alcohol or sedatives, and accessing support for health, housing and relationships all aid recovery and prevent overdose.
- When to seek help: Contact a GP or a local drug and alcohol service for confidential, non-judgemental help with opioid dependence — treatment is effective.
What it is
Opioid use disorder is a condition in which a person becomes dependent on opioids — a group of drugs that includes heroin and prescription painkillers such as codeine, morphine and oxycodone — and continues using them despite harm. Opioids are powerfully addictive: the body and brain adapt, so stopping causes withdrawal symptoms (such as aches, sweating, agitation, cramps and diarrhoea), and strong cravings drive continued use. It can develop from recreational use or, sometimes, from prescribed painkillers. It carries serious risks, including overdose (which can be fatal, particularly when opioids are mixed with alcohol or other sedatives, or after a period of not using when tolerance has fallen), infections (especially with injecting), and wide effects on health, relationships and life. Importantly, it is understood as a treatable medical condition, not a moral failing, and effective help is available.
How it is treated
Treatment is provided by drug and alcohol services and is often very effective. A key part is opioid substitution treatment — using a prescribed, safer opioid medicine (such as methadone or buprenorphine) to stabilise the person, prevent withdrawal and cravings, and allow them to reduce or stop illicit opioid use and rebuild their life; this is combined with psychological and social support. Some people work towards becoming opioid-free with support. Harm-reduction measures save lives: access to the overdose-reversing medicine naloxone (which family and friends can be trained to use), safer-use advice, and testing and treatment for infections. Treating coexisting mental and physical health problems, and support with housing, relationships and employment, are part of recovery. The overriding messages are that opioid use disorder is treatable, that overdose is preventable, and that seeking help — without judgement — is the important step.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Opioid use disorder
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Engaging with drug treatment services and substitution treatment, carrying and knowing how to use naloxone (and ensuring those around also know), avoiding mixing opioids with alcohol or sedatives, and accessing support for health, housing and relationships all aid recovery and prevent overdose.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Contact a GP or a local drug and alcohol service for confidential, non-judgemental help with opioid dependence — treatment is effective. Call 999 for a suspected overdose (someone who cannot be woken or is breathing slowly/not at all) and give naloxone if available.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Opioid use disorder: frequently asked questions
Is opioid use disorder treatable?
Yes, and treatment is often very effective. Opioid substitution treatment (such as methadone or buprenorphine) plus psychological and social support helps people stabilise, stop illicit use and rebuild their lives. It is a treatable medical condition.
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose. It is increasingly available for people who use opioids and their families and friends, who can be trained to use it — but emergency help (999) is still essential.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE — Drug misuse guidance
- NHS / Talk to FRANK
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