What is OTP?

There are several treatment options for opioid dependence in Australia, so it’s important to decide which one is best for you. However, one major treatment option are Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP, also known as Opioid Substitution Treatment or pharmacotherapy).

There is no right or wrong choice; what works for one person might not work for another. Many people try multiple treatments and combinations until they find what works for them. Many people find OTP useful to help reduce or moderate their opioid use by providing them with a regular dose of a long-acting opioid. When on OTP, people usually report fewer mood swings, less depression, improved finances and better overall health.

A major benefit is that OTP reduces the intensity of a “using lifestyle”, even when people continue to use opioids or other drugs from time to time.

What OTP can be used for?

OTP can be used for:

Short term detox: OTP medication (usually buprenorphine) is taken for 5-10 days to help with the most severe withdrawal symptoms. This can be done as an outpatient or in a detox unit. This is usually very helpful in getting people through withdrawal. However, by itself it is often not effective in keeping people from long-term use. Over 90% of people who detox with OTP medication continue to use regularly if they don’t start a maintenance program.

Longer term maintenance: OTP medication is taken over a longer amount of time to prevent withdrawal and to support you to manage your drug use. You can set the pace for how long you stay on treatment – weeks, months or years. There is no upper or lower limit.

Benefits

OTP is a great option if you want to stop using or change the way you use. To start with, OTP is legal, which can reduce a lot of stress. The medications are regular and long-acting, so if you are on the right dose and taking it on time you will not have any withdrawal symptoms between doses. You may even be able to miss a dose without serious problems. This makes working, parenting, studying and so on much easier to manage.

You can often get counselling and other forms of help when you are on a program. The medications are supplied free by the federal government; you only pay for the dispensing. Even at its most expensive, OTP is still cheaper than illicit opioids.

You can find lot a lot more about about OTP, including issues related to side effects, withdrawals, pregnancy, injecting your dose, using while on OTP and much more including many peer stories at our Consumers Guide to the Opioid Treatment Program.