Methadone Maintenance Treatment

What Is Opioid Dependence?

According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria, opioid dependence includes both physical dependence on--and uncontrolled compulsive use of opioids despite harm.¹ Opioids include drugs that may be injected, snorted, smoked, or taken orally, such as heroin (diacetylmorphine), morphine or hydromorphone.