Methadone is an opioid that is often prescribed to treat pain but may also be used to treat withdrawal symptoms in people who have become addicted to opioids. There’s no way to completely avoid opioid withdrawal, but methadone treatment is an effective way to ease the recovery process. We equip individuals with the tools they need to maintain sobriety and rebuild their lives.
Opioid Withdrawal
Methadone is often used to help treat opioid dependence, but it can also cause withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol, Benzos, and Opiates interference with the GABA system, the body’s most common downregulator. Withdrawal from these drugs is like trying to turn the heat up in a cold house with a broken thermostat and an out-of-control heater—it won’t always lead to disaster, but it’s a bad idea. You shouldn’t stop taking prescribed opioid medication without consulting your doctor. Nausea and vomiting can be significant symptoms Alcoholics Anonymous during the withdrawal process.
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Doctors prescribe methadone to treat pain or ease withdrawal symptoms that occur when someone who is dependent on opioids quits taking them. When used as a form of medication-assisted treatment, it decreases opioid withdrawal symptoms. Medical supervision during methadone withdrawal can help monitor your progress, adjust treatment plans as needed, and provide medications to alleviate severe symptoms. Healthcare professionals can also offer emotional support and counseling to help you cope with the physical and psychological effects of withdrawal. In cases of misuse, methadone detox protocols are similar to that of other opioids.
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Many methadone withdrawal opioids, like heroin, bind to mu receptors and create the euphoric effect the body recognizes as a reward. Adi Jaffe, Ph.D., is an expert in mental health, addiction, and personal transformation and the author of The Abstinence Myth and Unhooked. Withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person, and they can change quickly.
Methadone Withdrawal Timeline
- These processes, combined with decreased intestinal permeability from inflammation, mean a significant loss of body water every time you have diarrhea.
- Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
- For those with addiction, untreated physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms may be severe, making it challenging to abstain from using the drug.
- Methadone works by specifically targeting a type of opioid receptor known as a mu receptor.
- Muscle cramps and joint pain can also be present during opioid withdrawal.
The half-life is the length of time that it takes for half of the dose to leave the body. Methadone’s half-life ranges from 8–60 hours, compared with just 3–5 hours for oxycodone. It’s also important to note that some people may experience other withdrawal symptoms not listed here. This is why it’s important to work with your doctor during the withdrawal period. Your primary care doctor can work with you by providing select medications that can help with these uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
