This book should answer many of the questions you may have about opioid agonist therapy (OAT) with methadone or buprenorphine (Suboxone). The book can also help you to know what questions to ask your doctor, pharmacist, counsellor and others. It’s put together so that you can either dip into it, or read it all at once, as you wish. There’s information here for those who are thinking about OAT, for the new client and the client who is already taking OAT, and for family and friends. You can use this information to help you to understand and make decisions about your treatment. You can use it to educate others. You can use it to help yourself.
A note to family and friends
If you’ve been struggling to understand what your friend or family member is experiencing because of opioid addiction, and why that person is considering or taking OAT, this book can answer some of your questions, and help you to support the person you care about. Some client and family reviewers have pointed out that chapter 2, “Learning about opioid agonist therapy,” provides information that can help family and friends to start making sense of what is happening.
A note on the client quotes
The quotes included throughout this book are from people with personal experience with OAT. These are their words and opinions. The quotes are included to help those who are thinking about or starting OAT get a better idea of what to consider and what to expect, and to offer some encouragement.