Opioid addiction and overdose deaths are an epidemic. Methadone treatment for this epidemic is the treatment of choice. And yet, the stigma surrounding this effective medication keeps people from getting the help they need. Listen to this opiate support group discuss their experience of methadone.

Discussion Guide:

1. Methadone has been used to help treat heroin addiction and other opioid use disorders for over 50 years. Where and why was it developed? When was it first used to treat addiction?

2. Methadone is the most successful treatment option for opioid misuse, period. What research and statistics back up this assertion?

3. Methadone is a medical treatment for a medical condition. Why wouldn't you treat it with a medicine?

4. Propaganda and stigma prevent many people from seeking MAT and can contribute to people leaving treatment early. Has the stigma against Methadone caused you to consider tapering your dose for a premature discharge?

5. Relapse is much less likely to result in a fatal overdose because Methadone provides a protective barrier. What is meant by a protective barrier?

6. Methadone, as a controlled substance, is one of the most tightly-regulated medications in the United States. And yet, a stigma persists that it is easily abused. Why?

7. Methadone isn't right for everyone. Who would not be appropriate for Methadone assisted treatment?

Supplemental Reading:

Jeremy Galloway, 7 Things You Need to Know About Methadone Treatment, http://www.thefix.com/7-things-you-need-know-about-methadone-treatment