During the COVID-19 pandemic, treating opioid use disorder is challenging as people are being instructed to stay away from one another.
“Recovery is not supported by isolation. Recovery is supported by social support,” said Jennifer Sharpe Potter, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor of psychiatry and vice dean for research in the Long School of Medicine.
Dr. Potter explained that methadone, and buprenorphine, the other medicine used to treat opioid use disorder, should be taken regularly and interruptions to this dosing can introduce the body to withdrawal.