At the completion of this activity, participants will:
Describe the history of mandated restrictions in the dispensation of methadone to treat Opioid Use Disorder in Opioid Treatment Programs.
Identify current objections and concerns from OTP treatment communities to these restrictions, and examine possible roots of opposition to such changes within the OTP community
Develop plans for addressing the current restrictions, as well considering possible implementation of methods to remove barriers and stigma that may contribute to the resistance to decreasing methadone restrictions in OTPs.
Presentation Summary: Since 1960, methadone has been highly restricted in its use for treating Opioid Use Disorder. Typically, patients are required to dose daily at their clinics for six days per week, and their access to take-home dosing is tightly restricted. No other medication in the United States is surrounded by such restriction, stigma, and barriers to access to the medication. Recent concerns have arisen within the OTP community about the negative impact of such restrictions, and governmental oversight bodies are now considering ways to address these restrictions.
