Digital care programs
Digital care programs (see telehealth or digital health) have increased in number since the Coronavirus pandemic mandated the increased usage of remote healthcare options. These programs offer treatment and continuing care remotely, via smartphone and desktop applications. This often includes remote substance testing, access to peer support meetings, recovery coaching or therapy, and self-guided learning modules. Examples of digital care programs for opioid use disorder include: Chess, Pear Therapeutics, DynamiCare Health, Kaden Health and WeConnect. Epidemiology
Globally, the number of people with opioid dependence increased from 10.4 million in 1990 to 15.5 million in 2010. In 2016, the numbers rose to 27 million people who experienced this disorder. Opioid use disorders resulted in 122,000 deaths worldwide in 2015, up from 18,000 deaths in 1990. Deaths from all causes rose from 47.5 million in 1990 to 55.8 million in 2013. United States
The current epidemic of opioid abuse is the most lethal drug epidemic in American history. In 2008, there were four times as many deaths due to overdose than there were in 1999. In 2017, in the US, "the age-adjusted drug poisoning death rate involving opioid analgesics increased from 1.4 to 5.4 deaths per 100,000 population between 1999 and 2010, decreased to 5.1 in 2012 and 2013, then increased to 5.9 in 2014, and to 7.0 in 2015. The age-adjusted drug poisoning death rate involving heroin doubled from 0.7 to 1.4 deaths per 100,000 resident population between 1999 and 2011 and then continued to increase to 4.1 in 2015.
Methadone users in detox also find more luck in therapy because they dont have to deal with constant opioid cravings or the severity of acute withdrawal symptoms. Advantages of methadone include:

Reduction in infectious disease due to the cessation of opiate misuse, especially injection drug abuse
Reduction in illegal crime due to the cessation in illicit drug usage
Overall increase in quality of life
Improved social functioning
More attendance in alcohol therapy since withdrawal symptoms arent a diversionMethadone replacement therapy will also help people achieve stabilization early on in their rehabilitation. People should devote 100% of their time to recovery, helping them to solve the underlying problems that lead to their opiate addiction. They will get a career and start to find a better balance in their lives. It also enables parents to continue raising their children in a safe home environment. When their conditions improve and they want to refrain from taking methadone, they must be properly weaned off the medication, which must be done under medical observation. Although other medication-assisted therapies for opiate addiction, such as buprenorphine, are available, methadone is often seen as the most promising alternative for people who are heavily addicted to opiates. Methadone has a number of serious side effects, including:

Slowed breathing
Sexual dysfunction
Nausea
Vomiting
Restlessness
Itchy eyesDosages can be adjusted after 1–2 days, or another medication may be recommended for your situation if you experience side effects. Lung and breathing complications are possible long-term side effects of methadone use. Methadone, as an opiate, has the potential to be addictive.