Medication-assisted treatment is one of the options for managing opioid addiction. This method is typically applied along with counseling and other support and involves the use of methadone or buprenorphine and sometimes naltrexone. Methadone and buprenorphine are both opioids, therefore, they do carry the risk of addiction themselves. However, when used properly as part of
an overall treatment program, the risk is minimized. Addiction can be thought of as a chronic disease, and the use of methadone or buprenorphine has been likened to the use of maintenance medications to manage other disease states such as diabetes or heart disease. When used appropriately, these medications do not create a new addiction.