Methadone addiction treatment that actually works

Methadone (brand names include Dolophine, Diskets, Methadose) is a painkiller that was developed in Germany during the late 1930s, but it gained popularity and is better known today as a treatment for addiction to other opioids such as heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, or morphine.

Methadone is a man-made synthetic compound that binds to opioid receptors in the brain. Because it has a particularly long metabolic life, methadone can activate opioid receptors for a long time per dose, giving it a lower potential for addiction than short-acting opioids and leading to its use as a treatment for opioid addiction. However, it can still be abused and lead to addiction.

Even when taken correctly, methadone may cause side effects such as:

• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Skin rash
• Itching
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Mood changes such as anxiety and fear

Methadone use crosses the line into abuse and addiction (referred to clinically as opioid use disorder) whenever it is misused for the high produced by the drug instead of pain relief or addiction treatment.

As users consume more of the drug over time, the body becomes physically dependent, meaning they need to consume more of the drug to get the desired effects and prevent the intense, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that occur when the drug is not in their system.

Physical dependence often leads to psychological addiction as well, leading to anxiety, cravings, and other effects when not taking the medication.

Methadone addiction behaviors include:

• Taking more than the prescribed dosage
• “Doctor shopping” for multiple prescriptions
• Tampering with methadone before taking it
• Taking methadone in any way other than orally

Because methadone users often start with other drugs like heroin or oxycodone, they often return to their drug of choice if they can’t obtain the medication.

Even though methadone has a lower potential for addiction than other opioids, those who are physically dependent will experience opioid withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the drug. Due to the fact that it has a longer metabolism, these symptoms may not set in for 1-3 days after discontinuing use.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Restlessness
• Yawning
• Sweating
• Tearing eyes
• Runny nose
• Chills
• Muscle and back aches
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Irritability, anxiety
• Dilated pupils
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heartbeat or breathing

These problems vary in severity and duration depending on the specific methadone dose taken and duration of use.

Like other opioid drugs, methadone detox, also known as withdrawal stabilization, involves tapering a patient’s dose slowly over time to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Other long-acting opioids such as Suboxone may be substituted, as they offer other potential benefits.

Patients usually experience the most discomfort during the first 1-3 days of the opioid withdrawal phase, so a combination of mild sedatives and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen is frequently combined with the longer-acting opioid to help make the patient more comfortable during this time.

Medications to treat opioid addiction such as Suboxone (buprenorphine with naloxone) work through the same opioid receptors in the brain that methadone affects without producing a euphoric high, making them safer and less likely to result in addiction.

As a result, these medications can reduce cravings and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, allowing patients to actively participate in treatment while the dose is slowly tapered down.

Usually, after three days of Suboxone management, withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings are minimized enough for patients to participate fully in a treatment program.

Due to the strength of a single dose and the fact that the body metabolizes it so slowly, methadone can easily build up in a person’s system, increasing the risk of overdose.

That’s why doses need to be tailored to specific patients to avoid causing adverse reactions. Taking too much methadone or incorrectly spacing out doses can result in a life-threatening overdose.

Methadone overdose symptoms include:

• Slowed or shallow breathing
• Extreme drowsiness leading to coma
• Cold and clammy skin
• Pinpoint pupils
• Slowed heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Death

These symptoms can be deadly if not treated immediately.

Yes. Methadone is classified by the DEA as a Schedule II controlled substance for its highly addictive properties, so possessing, sharing, giving away or selling methadone without a prescription is against the law.