Reach out to your prescriber or treatment team right away if you still have opioid cravings on MAT. Explain what has changed and when the cravings happen. Do not adjust or stop your medication on your own.
Cravings are a sign to check your care. They do not mean you failed. They also do not show that treatment cannot help.
Here, MAT stands for medication treatment for opioid use disorder. It is not an exercise mat. We publish a treatment directory. We are not a treatment provider. We do not claim medical review.
If an overdose may be happening, call 911 now. Use naloxone if you have it. Follow what the dispatcher tells you. For suicidal thoughts, call or text 988. For immediate danger, call 911.
Cravings on MAT: Experiencing Cravings During Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
It is common for people to feel opioid cravings while taking medication. This does not mean your treatment has failed.
Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) helps manage the condition. The FDA has approved methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone for this.[1] Opioid use disorder is a treatable medical condition.[2]
Reach out to your care team if cravings hit. They can look into what causes them. Your plan may be adjusted if that is needed.
3
FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder[1]
General trends in large groups are what these numbers show. They do not predict your personal risk. Check our guide on managing a slip on buprenorphine if a slip worries you.
Steps to Take When Opioid Cravings Do Not Fade
Do not wait for your next scheduled visit if cravings feel strong or hard to control. Call your prescriber, clinic, or treatment team right away. If they are closed, follow the after-hours steps your clinic gave you.
- Pause and find support. Move to a place where you are safe and can access help.
- Contact your treatment team. Call or message them to say your cravings are continuing.
- Describe what you are feeling. Mention any new or worsening symptoms and ask when you should speak with your clinician.
- Do not change your medication. Only adjust doses or stop taking medication under the direction of your prescriber.
- Use a coping action while you wait. Reach out to a trusted person or peer support group. Try a simple grounding technique, such as changing your surroundings or taking slow breaths.
These steps help you stay safe now, but they do not take the place of clinical care. Your treatment team uses comprehensive assessments to guide your plan, including checking for other medical or psychiatric needs.[3] If you need to explore a different care setting, you can learn more about comparing opioid treatment programs.
Details to Share With Your Treatment Team
You have no need to justify your cravings. Just let your doctor know. ASAM says doctors should check on you often during treatment.[4] Your team wants you to call when things shift.
How to Talk to a Prescriber About Opioid Cravings
Speak clearly about what you feel. You can say, “I’m still having cravings, and I’d like to review my treatment plan with you.” This tells your doctor what you need.
Also, tell them about any alcohol or other drugs. You do not need to fear judgment. This detail helps protect your safety. It helps them plan your care.
Get ready for your chat using this list. Feel free to save it or print it out.
What to Share With My Treatment Team
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If cravings remain, ask for a set date to check in. If you need a new doctor, read our guide on requesting medication-assisted treatment.
Ongoing Cravings: What They May and May Not Mean
Feeling cravings on medication for opioid use disorder is common. This does not show your treatment is failing. These feelings give your care team useful data. Talking about them helps everyone grasp what is happening.
| What you notice | What it can help the team understand | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| Cravings coming back | Which triggers are active now | That your dose is wrong |
| Cravings getting stronger | How your brain reacts to cues | That you need a new medication right away |
| Cravings at a certain time or place | Patterns in your routine to address | That the drug causes the craving |
| Cravings with withdrawal signs | If physical needs require adjustment | That you missed doses without checking |
Naltrexone blocks opioid effects.[2] It works on opioid receptors differently than methadone and buprenorphine. Your prescriber can check which treatment fits you best. They will look at your history and goals.
Alongside medication, behavioral therapies support your treatment.[5] Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to notice situations tied to use. It also builds coping responses.[6] These tools help you manage cravings. If you think cravings may lead to use, read our guide on managing a slip on buprenorphine.
Managing Opioid Cravings in Treatment
Cravings can feel quite intense. Their length and strength may shift up and down. Reach out to your care team if they last or get worse. Try these steps while you wait to speak with them:
- Reach out to a peer, friend, or family member you trust.
- Step outside or switch to another room.
- Notice what you feel, hear, and see in this moment.
- Try a brief activity, such as taking a shower or going for a walk.
If you think you may use opioids, contact your treatment team or a trusted support person now for help.
What Support Do I Need Right Now?
This self-check is for information only and isn't a diagnosis. It does not determine if you are safe.
For suicidal thoughts, call or text 988.[7] For immediate danger, a suicide attempt, thoughts of self-harm, seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations, a high fever or racing heart during withdrawal, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now.[8] If you suspect an opioid overdose, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if available.[9] Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose.[10]
Opioid Use or Cravings: Signs of a Medical Emergency
If you think someone is overdosing, call 911 now. Do not drive them to the hospital. Give naloxone if you have it. Wait and follow the dispatcher's instructions.[9]
Look for these signs of overdose:
- Breathing that moves slowly or barely at all
- Eyes with tiny centers
- Inability to rouse them from sleep
- Deep drowsiness mixed with unclear thoughts
- Words coming out jumbled
- Low blood pressure or a slow heart rate.[11]
Read our guide on recognizing opioid overdose signs to identify these warning signs. Keeping naloxone within reach is a good idea. Visit our guide on accessing naloxone for safety for details on obtaining it.
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and open 24/7.[7] If you are in danger, call 911 or go to the ER.
Certain withdrawal effects call for fast medical care. Go to the ER or call 911 if you have:
- Convulsions
- Body temperature that spikes
- Mind that is deeply foggy
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there
- Uneven pulse[8]
Do not handle these at home.
Craving urges by themselves are not an emergency. If they keep returning, share this with your care team. They can help update your plan. This is a key part of overdose prevention and response.
Getting Ongoing Help and Locating Treatment
Handling cravings on MAT is a continuous task. This easy path helps you stay linked to care:
Now
Contact your treatment team. Tell them what is happening. Share if cravings are continuing or returning.
During the clinical review
Talk with your clinician. Discuss your symptoms and safety. Mention any barriers you face.
After the conversation
Follow the plan you agreed on. This may include check-ins or new coping skills.
If cravings continue or worsen
Call the team again. Or seek another clinical check-up. Do not wait if things feel unsafe.
Counseling is another way to get help with opioid cravings. It builds skills for handling urges. You might also join peer support services. People with lived experience of addiction lead these groups.[12] They offer recovery support but are not a replacement for medical care. Always talk to your prescriber about medication changes.
Want to find resources? The SAMHSA National Helpline gives free, confidential treatment referral info.[13] This is a no-cost route to local services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does having cravings mean my medication is not working?
Not by itself. Cravings are a common part of recovery and do not mean you are failing. Describe the cravings and any other changes to your prescriber so the team can review your experience and care plan. This guide cannot determine the specific cause of your symptoms.
Should I take extra medication when cravings hit?
Do not take more medication or change how you use it unless your prescriber directs you to do so. Contact your treatment team and explain that cravings are continuing. They can help you adjust your plan safely.
What should I do if I used opioids while receiving treatment?
Tell your treatment team as soon as you can. This information helps them discuss safety and follow-up without judgment. After a period without opioid use, reduced tolerance can increase overdose risk if opioid use resumes.[14] If an overdose may be happening, call 911, give naloxone if available, and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
Can counseling help when cravings persist?
Ask your care team whether counseling or another support would fit your needs alongside medication treatment. Counseling can address triggers and stressors that drive cravings. Do not delay or give up medication treatment because counseling is unavailable.
How can a loved one help with overdose safety?
Ask what support the person wants and help them contact their treatment team. Learn how to recognize an overdose and respond. Consider keeping naloxone available, as the FDA approved naloxone nasal spray for over-the-counter, nonprescription use in the United States.[15] Learn its use from the product instructions or a qualified source. Note that mixing buprenorphine with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants can cause life-threatening respiratory depression.[16]
