Table of Contents
Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid that’s prescribed both to treat severe pain and to treat opioid use disorder, but how about methadone withdrawal?
Well, unfortunately it is possible to become addicted to methadone if it is used as a substitute for heroin or another opioid painkiller.
If you have been taking this medication for some time, discontinuing use is likely to trigger methadone withdrawal symptoms. This experience can be uncomfortable and painful, and you should always discuss the pros and cons of methadone treatment with your healthcare provider before deciding upon long-term methadone therapy.
While there are drug and alcohol treatment programs and California rehabs in place to help all those who are struggling with addiction, let’s first get a better understanding of methadone and withdrawal.
Overcoming Methadone Withdrawal
Methadone withdrawal is challenging, and it’s inadvisable to attempt detox without medical assistance. At minimum, inform your doctor of your intention to stop taking methadone so they will be better placed to help treat any withdrawal symptoms you encounter.
It’s also worth reaching out to local support groups. This will allow you to take advantage of the powerful peer support of others undergoing a broadly similar experience.
Your healthcare provider can provide medication-assisted treatment, easing the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, minimizing cravings, and reducing the chance of relapse. Some of the most common medications used to streamline methadone withdrawal include:
- Buprenorphine
- Clonidine
- Naloxone
The significant risks associated with the misuse of methadone, as well as methadone overdoses, means that methadone therapy is only available through treatment programs with government approval. A doctor will monitor your intake of methadone and your response to the medication, with therapy continued until your body no longer needs any methadone at all.
Methadone Addiction
Over the past two decades, the opioid epidemic has fueled a blizzard of prescriptions for strong opioid painkillers. While the rate is now mercifully declining, CDC data shows that over 153 million prescriptions were filled in the United States for opioid painkillers in 2019.
While these medications can be effective when used short-term and as prescribed, for many people opioid use ends in dependence and addiction.
Regulators and lawmakers are now in broad agreement that prescription painkillers like Vicodin, OxyContin, and Percocet are over-prescribed for a range of problems that may not even be suitable for treating – chronic back pain, for instance.
The FDA does not recommend the use of methadone as a prescription painkiller for chronic pain, but this has not stopped doctors writing millions of prescriptions for the medication, possibly due to the cheap nature of methadone compared to other opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Insurance companies will often cover methadone treatment while refusing to meet the bill for other, more expensive opioids.
The long-acting properties of methadone mean it builds rapidly in your system. Taking even a little more than prescribed can result in overdose.
Can You Get Addicted to Methadone?
If methadone therapy is not very closely monitored, abuse and addiction can easily occur.
The half-life of methadone depends on dose, but it will vary from 8 hours to 60 hours. Its pain-killing effects, by contrast, last for as long as 8 hours.
This lengthy half-life is especially beneficial for those recovering from addiction to both heroin and prescription painkillers. Methadone will linger in the body, helping to counter cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
This long half-life is disadvantageous when it comes to treating chronic pain like MS, osteoarthritis, or cancer. The painkilling effects of methadone are gone even if it remains in your body. This means you risk overdosing if you take more methadone to deal with pain while some of the medication is still in your system.
Get Insurance-Covered Addiction Treatment
Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms
Originally designed to treat heroin addiction, methadone can be used to treat all kinds of opioid use disorder.
While you can expect to encounter methadone withdrawal symptoms, they don’t kick in as quickly or as severely as with other opiates due to the length of time methadone stays in your body.
Despite the reduced intensity of withdrawal symptoms, they mirror the classic opioid withdrawal symptoms. Expect any or all of the following upon discontinuing use of methadone:
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Depression
- Tachycardia
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Watery eyes
- Fever
- Chills
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Shaking
- Muscle aches
- Diarrhea
Methadone Withdrawal Timeline
Methadone withdrawal symptoms unfold during methadone detox. The first symptoms typically manifest 24 to 36 hours after the last dose. Withdrawal should always be supervised by a medical professional.
You may be experiencing methadone withdrawal if you notice any of the following during the first 30 hours of abstinence:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Tiredness
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Excessive sweating
- Yawning
- Disrupted sleep patterns
How Long Does Methadone Withdrawal Last?
There is no fixed timeline for methadone withdrawal, but as a rough benchmark, withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months.
Methadone Withdrawal Help
Methadone is a type of opioid, and while it is widely used in addiction medicine, it has its own caveats. Methadone must be administered through a medical pipeline with proper support staff and treatment programs. Withdrawal can be challenging and may increase the risk of relapse. Many people benefit from additional addiction treatment therapies during and after withdrawal.
Effective treatment for addiction, founded by people in recovery.
Methadone Treatment at Renaissance Recovery
Whether methadone was prescribed as part of an opioid use disorder program or used recreationally, medical detox followed by a comprehensive, integrated treatment program is essential for sustained recovery.
At Renaissance Recovery, we help individuals safely detox from methadone using tapering protocols or substitution medications. Buprenorphine, a semi-synthetic FDA-approved medication, offers lower abuse potential than methadone.
In addition to medication-assisted treatment, clients have access to psychotherapy, including CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), to identify triggers and develop healthier coping strategies for stress.
For those requiring more structure, we offer IOPs (Intensive Outpatient Programs) and PHPs (Partial Hospitalization Programs) to provide the appropriate level of care, support detox, and minimize methadone withdrawal symptoms.
All you need to do to get started is call our admissions team at 866-330-9449.
Sources:
- https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/CommonlyUsedLAOpioids.pdf
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE
At Renaissance Recovery our goal is to provide evidence-based treatment to as many individuals as possible. Give us a call today to verify your insurance coverage or to learn more about paying for addiction treatment.
