Research suggests that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be an effective approach to recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD). However, some family members may not understand why someone who’s working to stop using opioids would take methadone as part of their treatment plan. That misunderstanding can be painful.

One member of MyOpioidRecoveryTeam shared, “The feeling of not being understood by the people closest to you is one of the loneliest parts of all of this.”

So, what can you do if your family doesn’t support your methadone treatment? Learning how to respond to questions and criticism, set healthy boundaries, and find support from people who understand can help you protect your recovery.

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How To Respond to Family and Friends

If you worked with a healthcare provider or substance use disorder (SUD) specialist to develop a treatment plan based on your individual needs and goals, you’ve already taken a brave step in asking for help. You don’t need to convince anyone else that your recovery process is valid.

At the same time, research suggests that family support can play an important role in recovery. If your loved ones have questions or concerns about MAT, sharing a few facts about how it works may help them better understand why methadone is part of your treatment plan.

Here are some facts you can share:

• MAT combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapies. You should still be able to receive medication if you decide not to use counseling or cannot access it.
• MAT can improve recovery outcomes, reduce the risk of relapse, and prevent or reduce overdose risk.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD): methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
• These medications can help normalize brain chemistry, relieve cravings, and restore normal body functions.
• Methadone is an opioid agonist, which means it activates the same opioid receptors in the brain as other opioids, but without producing a high when taken as prescribed.
• Methadone can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms when taken as prescribed.
• In the U.S., methadone for the treatment of OUD is available only through opioid treatment programs.

You can share these facts with your family if you feel comfortable doing so. But don’t feel like you have to answer every question or respond to every comment. Your well-being and recovery come first.

If you need more information, talking points, or support, your healthcare provider or substance use disorder specialist can help.

Finding Support Beyond Your Family

Sometimes, family members may not be as supportive as you need them to be. But that doesn’t mean you have to navigate recovery alone. Connecting with people who understand MAT and what you’re experiencing can help you feel supported, stay connected to your treatment, and work toward your recovery goals.

Here are a few places to find support and community in opioid recovery:

• Your treatment team
• Trusted friends
• Peer support groups
• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Other recovery communities

Support is available, even if it doesn’t come from the people you expected. And you don’t have to get all of your support from one person or place.

You can work on building a support network that includes people who listen, respect your choices, and encourage your recovery, whether they are related to you or not. You don’t have to navigate this journey by yourself.