Can someone explain the difference between agonists and antagonists when it comes to treating drug addiction? I've heard these terms in the clinic, but I don't really understand how they work or how they differ.

Interesting question, because I recently came across this myself when it came to methadone and naltrexone. Supposedly both are used for treatment, but with completely different effects. Maybe someone has a simple explanation, without complicated terminology?

I recommend reading a detailed article on the United Recovery Project website — https://unitedrecoveryproject.com/rehab-blog/agonist-vs-antagonist-drugs/ . It clearly explains: agonists, such as methadone, activate receptors in the brain in the same way as a drug, but in a controlled way — this helps reduce withdrawal and ease the transition to sobriety. Antagonists, such as naltrexone, on the contrary, block the receptors so that the drug cannot act at all. That is, the agonist “mimics” the effect to reduce cravings, and the antagonist “blocks” the effect to prevent a person from returning to use. The choice of drug depends on the specific situation, and the decision should be made by a doctor.