A patient with opioid use disorder seeks treatment. When discussing the rationale for using methadone to ease opioid withdrawal, the provider explains that methadone has which pharmacologic property or characteristic?

Question

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Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that can prevent abstinence syndrome (withdrawal symptoms) in patients with opioid use disorder by acting on the same opioid receptors as other opioids, but with a slower onset and longer duration of action, allowing for a more controlled and gradual reduction of opioid dependence.

A Patient with Opioid Use Disorder Seeks Treatment