751 - The New Federal Regulations Aimed Making Methadone More Accessible—And Less Stigmatizing

Public Health On Call

Methadone is a highly effective treatment for substance use disorder but strict regulations like daily clinic visits have led to its nickname, “liquid handcuffs.” Dr. Yngvild Olsen, director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services administration, talks with Lindsay Smith Rogers about new federal regulations that expand access to this life saving medication. They talk about how the COVID era showed that changes can make methadone much easier to prescribe and access, and how these updates are part of a critical cultural shift towards making substance use treatment more reasonable, equitable, and compassionate.

Resources for this episode:

https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/statutes-regulations-guidelines/methadone-guidance

https://findtreatment.gov/