New data show 96% opioid abstinence rates among long-term patients even as North Dakota overdose deaths climb against a national decline.
BISMARCK, N.D., Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ideal Option, a national leader in outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction to opioids, stimulants and other substances, has released its 2025 Annual Outcomes Report for North Dakota patients. The report aggregates data from over 450 North Dakota patients in 2025, detailing geographic and demographic profiles, treatment stages, medication adherence, and substance use trends based on lab specimens.
The report arrives as North Dakota's overdose crisis moves against the national tide. Nationally, drug overdose deaths fell nearly 14% in 2025, the third consecutive annual decline, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But North Dakota was among a handful of states that saw overdose deaths rise in 2025 even as the national numbers improved, according to reporting by NPR and the American Journal of Managed Care. The strain is visible on the ground in Fargo, where police recorded 169 overdoses in 2025 — the highest total in more than five years of tracking — with 29 of those proving fatal, Police Chief David Zibolski said.
Key findings in the Ideal Option report highlight the success of office-based MAT, with 96% of patients in long-term recovery achieving sustained abstinence from opioids. For North Dakota patients progressing from treatment initiation to maintenance in 2025, the report shows:
- 99% reduction in fentanyl use
- 71% reduction in methamphetamine use
"North Dakota is defying the national trend in the wrong direction, and that's exactly why office-based treatment needs to be part of the response," said Tim Kilgallon, CEO of Ideal Option. "This report shows that when patients have consistent access to evidence-based, medication-assisted treatment, recovery is not only possible — it is measurable and sustained, even as the drug supply grows more dangerous."
Ideal Option also partners with correctional facilities across North Dakota to support justice-involved individuals with substance use disorder. In 2025, jail referrals accounted for 8% of the 63 new North Dakota patients who entered the program through community referrals, helping ensure continuity of care for individuals transitioning out of incarceration.
View the full Ideal Option 2025 Annual Patient Outcomes Report for North Dakota here: www.idealoption.com/patient-outcomes.
Ideal Option has helped more than 100,000 patients through a network of over 80 outpatient clinics across 9 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon and Washington.
With no waitlists and most forms of insurance accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, patients can typically get started on treatment for fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol or other substances within 1-3 business days.
Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting www.idealoption.com.
About Ideal Option
Headquartered in Renton, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped more than 100,000 patients through a network of 80+ office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across nine states. Ideal Option has received The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval®, demonstrating compliance with its exacting performance standards for safety and quality of patient care. With a mission to serve underserved communities, Ideal Option accepts all forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available.
Ideal Option's team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, case workers, counselors and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health and reduced rates of recidivism.
In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health and nutrition support.
Media Contact
Olivia Roe, Ideal Option, 1 5095055191, [email protected], www.idealoption.com
SOURCE Ideal Option
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