Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
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SUD treatment executive, national news contributor & keynote speaker.
Navigation:
- Overview
- The Methadone Experience for Opioid Withdrawal Management
- The Other Side of the Coin: Getting Treatment for Methadone Addiction
- Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms
- When Should I Seek Help for Methadone?
- What Does Treatment for Methadone Look Like?
- Find A Methadone Treatment Rehab Center In Your Area
Overview
If you or your loved one are struggling with Opioid Use Disorder or heroin addiction, methadone can be a viable medication resource to help you curtail your cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is one of three medications approved to treat opioid dependency, along with naltrexone (Vivitrol®) and buprenorphine (Suboxone®). When taken as prescribed, methadone is safe and effective. By law, only an opioid treatment provider (OTP) approved by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can prescribe and administer methadone. Rehabs that offer behavioral therapy and counseling may either offer methadone treatment as part of their continuum of care or work with other medical facilities to offer the medication to eligible patients.
The Methadone Experience for Opioid Withdrawal Management
Each patient’s length of methadone use will vary, based on their care needs and progress managing their withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The drug is available in pill, liquid, or disk form and is only to be taken under the guidance and supervision of an experienced and qualified treatment provider.
At first, patients can only take methadone at clinics. After patients are stabilized and able to demonstrate consistent compliance with their program as far as dosage and frequency, they may be allowed to take methadone at home between program visits. Methadone is highly addictive when used improperly, and patients should never take more than their prescribed dosage.
The Other Side of the Coin: Getting Treatment for Methadone Addiction
When a person finds themselves developing a tolerance to methadone and experiencing withdrawal symptoms, it’s imperative that they speak with their provider immediately so they can either adjust their dose or taper off. Individuals who abuse methadone risk becoming tolerant of and physically dependent on the drug. When these individuals stop using the drug they may experience withdrawal symptoms including muscle tremors, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Overdosing on methadone poses an additional risk.
Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal is one of the primary indicators of methadone addiction. While each person’s withdrawal experience is unique, physical and psychological symptoms are often similar to those of other opioids and can include:
- Restlessness
- Irritability and Anxiety
- Trouble Sleeping
- Yawning and Fatigue
- Runny Nose and Watery Eyes
- Fever, Chills, and Sweating
- Muscle Aches and Joint Pain
- Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
There have also been documented case of methadone withdrawal-induced psychosis, which can lead to serious self-harm and other dangerous behavior.
When Should I Seek Help for Methadone?
Most people who ultimately develop tolerance or dependence on methadone start by taking a legitimately prescribed course of the drug from a licensed and experienced provider. This often leads them to make the mistake of thinking there is little to no danger of the drug and that what they’re feeling may be normal. If you experience ANY symptoms that you feel are alarming or out of the ordinary, talk to your doctor immediately to adjust your dose.
You should also consult with them if you’re taking any other medications as certain drugs can cause adverse reactions when mixed with methadone. For example:
- Mixing methadone with anxiety or sleep medications, or alcohol can significantly increase the risk of fatal respiratory depression.
- Using methadone alongside other opioid medications can lead to a rapid and life-threatening overdose.
- Certain medications used to manage heart rhythm can interact with methadone. Combining these increases the risk of serious cardiac complications.
- Certain antifungal treatments, antibiotics, and medications for HIV, can alter the concentration of methadone in the body, which may lead to either a dangerous increase in the drug’s effects or the onset of withdrawal symptoms.
What Does Treatment for Methadone Look Like?
Treatment approaches may vary, based on each patient’s clinical history, symptoms, duration of use, and co-occurring substance use issues. It’s imperative, however, that patients receive medically supervised withdrawal management so they can safely and effectively re-regulate their central nervous systems after this added layer of chemical intervention.
The unfortunate reality is that many patients who need methadone detox began by using it for the purposes of detoxifying from other opioids, such as heroin or prescription painkillers. Less potent and more controlled maintenance medications, such as buprenorphine (Suboxone) or injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol). These medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of opioid use disorder and can provide a more closely monitored means of detox, tapering, and withdrawal management. It’s best to speak with the clinical staff at your facility to find which options are most viable, based on your case history.
Find A Methadone Treatment Rehab Center In Your Area
There are rehabs across the country that provide direct or referred methadone treatment as a part of their addiction treatment plan. Use our directory to locate a rehab that combines methadone with treatment.
