What Is an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)?

June 23, 2025

An Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) is a federally certified and state-licensed facility that provides medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD). OTPs are designed to support people in their recovery by offering evidence-based medications, counseling, behavioral therapies and psychiatric services in a structured, supportive environment.

Some OTPs may offer medical services as well, and some may offer – or more precisely, be co-located with – other types of day treatment such as partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP) and/or traditional outpatient program, like the New Vista service model does.

OTPs are regulated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to help ensure safety, compliance and quality of care.

What Services Do OTPs Provide?

OTPs deliver a range of comprehensive treatment services that go beyond medication. These services may include:

  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using FDA-approved medications
  • Individual and group counseling
  • Medical evaluations and care
  • Psychiatric care for co-occurring mental health conditions
  • Case management and recovery planning
  • Referrals to social and community resources

The goal is to stabilize the patient, reduce illicit opioid use, prevent overdose and support long-term recovery.

Who Works at an OTP?

A multidisciplinary team of professionals typically works at an OTP to address the diverse needs of patients. This may include:

  • Physicians and nurse practitioners
  • Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses
  • Licensed counselors or therapists
  • Psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners
  • Case managers
  • Peer recovery support specialists
  • Administrative and compliance staff

Together, they provide holistic, patient-centered care that treats the whole person, not just the addiction. 

What Medications Are Used in OTPs?

OTPs provide three primary FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder:

  1. Methadone
    • A long-acting opioid agonist that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings without causing euphoria when taken as prescribed.
    • It is dispensed only in certified OTPs.
    • Proven to significantly reduce opioid use and associated mortality (Volkow et al., 2014).
  1. Buprenorphine
    • A partial opioid agonist that can suppress withdrawal and cravings.
    • It has a ceiling effect, reducing risk of misuse or overdose.
    • Often combined with naloxone (as Suboxone®) to deter injection use.
    • Shown to cut opioid-related mortality by more than half (Sordo et al., 2017).
  1. Naltrexone
    • An opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids.
    • Available as a daily pill or monthly injection (Vivitrol®).
    • Best suited for people who have already detoxed from opioids.

Overdose/opioid poisoning reversal medication is often provided either as a prescription or in the clinic free of charge.

Effectiveness of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

Research consistently shows that MAT provided in OTPs is highly effective. Key outcomes include:

  • Reduces opioid use and associated health risks (Connery, 2015)
  • Lowers overdose deaths (Sordo et al., 2017)
  • Improves retention in treatment and overall stability (Mattick et al., 2014)
  • Reduces transmission of infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C (SAMHSA, 2021)
  • Improves quality of life, employment and family functioning

Importantly, MAT is not substituting one drug for another – it is a medical treatment for a chronic condition that saves lives and supports recovery (NIDA, 2021).

References

Related Posts