The NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) provides people with access to treatment for opioid dependency so they can improve their health, wellbeing, and relationships with family and community. Treatment may be provided using medications such as methadone and buprenorphine along with other support services to help people stop using opioids. Medications can be provided as a part of a withdrawal program or as a longer term maintenance treatment.
NUAA, the NSW Users & AIDS Association, have released a series of consumer guides that were written for and by people with lived experience of drug use to help people navigate the NSW OTP.
The consumer guides provide important information, such as:
- how to start a treatment program and what being on the program is like
- options for medicines and clinics
- getting pregnancy and parenting support
- information about safe injecting and avoiding overdose
- rights and responsibilities and where to get extra support
Consumer guides
PDF versions of each
consumer guide can be downloaded via the links below. To request hard copies by
mail, fill out the Resource Order Form and email to moh-populationhealthresources@health.nsw.gov.au,
or call NUAA on (02) 8354 7300 or 1800 644 413 (free call).
For further information about NUAA's Consumer's Guide to the NSW OTP visit
nuaa.org.au/otp/consumers-guide-to-the-opioid-treatment-program.
More about OTP
The OTP is provided through public clinics, private clinics, general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacies, and correctional facilities. Current pharmacotherapy medicines used in the NSW OTP are methadone, buprenorphine (Subutex®), buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone®) and long-acting injectable depot buprenorphine (Buvidal® and Sublocade®). Visit the
NSW Opioid Treatment Program page for further information, including the impact of COVID-19 on OTP services.
For free and confidential advice 24/7 call Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015.
Counsellors are available to provide counselling, information, referrals, and support. Or start a Web Chat with an ADIS counsellor online Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5:00pm. ADIS can also provide up-to-date information about service availability in your area during the COVID-19 pandemic.
