Covid-19 Shifts More Methadone From Opioid Clinic to Home

More patients recovering from opioid addiction may be eligible to take methadone and other treatment drugs at home instead of at clinics during the coronavirus pandemic thanks to relaxed federal rules.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration this week relaxed patient eligibility regulations for take-home medication like buprenorphine and methadone and how much medication can be brought home at one time.

People in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder typically must be physically present at methadone clinics or other treatment centers to get their daily doses. Take-home options have been strictly regulated and based on specific recovery timetables ...