Which of the following drugs is considered an agonist in Medication Assisted Treatment?

Methadone is recognized as an agonist in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) because it fully activates the opioid receptors in the brain, which can help to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings for individuals recovering from opioid use disorder. By stimulating these receptors, methadone provides relief similar to that of other opioids, but in a controlled and medically supervised manner, which aids in supporting individuals in their recovery journey.

In contrast, naltrexone functions as an antagonist, blocking the effects of opioids rather than stimulating the receptors, which makes it effective for preventing relapse but not as an agonist. Buprenorphine, while often referred to as a partial agonist, does not fully stimulate the receptors compared to methadone and serves as a bridge to help manage addiction without providing the full effects of opioids. Antabuse (disulfiram) works by causing unpleasant reactions to alcohol rather than acting on opioid receptors, and it is not part of MAT for opioid dependence.