Opioid replacement therapy (ORT) is the replacement of a drug of dependence such as heroin with a legally prescribed opioid substitute with a stable and long half life such as Methadone or Suboxone which helps reduce cravings and the cycles of withdrawal. The use of Methadone and Suboxone in ORT is a form of harm reduction and it realises that for a number of reasons there are some people who are unable to remain abstinent of drugs and replacement therapy is a safer alternative.
Methadone maintenance therapy reduces heroin use, injecting behaviours and mortality and we know that by commencing ORT patients are: