Methadone is a man-made opioid used to relieve pain or treat symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Opioids are a class of drugs known for their pain-relieving properties. They’re also notorious for causing addiction and overdose.
- Abuse Potential
- High
- Drug Class
- Opioid
- Brand Names
- Diskets, Dolophine, Methadose, Westadone
- Street Names
- Amidone, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fizzies, Salvia, Wafer
- Side Effects
- Sweating, Dizziness, Low Blood Pressure, Nausea, Trouble Breathing
- How It’s Used
- Swallowed, Injected
- Legal Status
- Schedule II
Doctors prescribe methadone to ease withdrawal symptoms caused by repeated opioid use. When used as prescribed, the medication makes people dependent on opioids feel normal. It can be used to wean people off of other opioids, or it can be used during opioid replacement therapy.
People who take methadone must be monitored closely. A low dose will fail to ease cravings and may increase the likelihood of relapse. A high dose can cause euphoria or an overdose. Misusing methadone may cause addiction or increase the severity of an existing addiction.
Is Methadone Addictive?
Methadone can be addictive. Misusing methadone to get high or using it without a doctor’s prescription increases the risk of prescription drug addiction. Doctors who prescribe methadone diligently monitor patients because the drug has a high potential to cause psychological dependence.
People who receive methadone to treat opioid addiction must participate in certified opioid treatment programs, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. These programs provide structured counseling and therapy.
You shouldn’t use methadone on your own to try to quit taking another opioid, such as heroin. Methadone relieves withdrawal, but it doesn’t treat addiction. If you’re addicted to another opioid, you need counseling and therapy to help you learn to live without the drugs.
Without professional methadone treatment, your attempt to quit opioids may end up worsening your addiction. Taking methadone on your own can increase your tolerance, make you more dependent on opioids and result in methadone addiction.
Side Effects of Methadone
Like most prescription drugs, methadone causes side effects. People addicted to opioids may be familiar with side effects of the drugs, such as nausea, itchy skin or constipation.
Other common side effects of methadone include:
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Flushing
- Mood changes
- Vision issues
- Restlessness
- Sweating
Some side effects subside over time as a person adjusts to taking methadone daily. Other side effects, such as opioid-induced constipation, persist for the duration of treatment. When methadone is used as prescribed by a doctor, side effects are usually mild. Severe effects may be a sign of an opioid overdose.
Overdoses are rare when methadone is taken under a doctor’s supervision, but misusing methadone to get high increases the risk of overdose.
Symptoms of a methadone overdose include:
- Blue nails or lips
- Stomach spasms
- Convulsions
- Slow pulse
- Slow breathing
- Swelling
- Vomiting
- Trouble swallowing
High doses of methadone can be lethal. If you or someone you’re with exhibits signs of an overdose, call 911 immediately. Narcan and other medications containing naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. But methadone lasts longer than naloxone, and symptoms of the overdose can reoccur once naloxone wears off.
Medical professionals monitor people who have overdosed on methadone and treat symptoms of the overdose if they return. They may also be able to help with symptoms of methadone withdrawal that occur after using naloxone.
Signs of Methadone Addiction
Addiction is a disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Doctors prescribe methadone to people who are addicted to other opioids, such as heroin or Percocet, to curb withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction.
Using methadone to ease withdrawal won’t cause addiction. If you stop participating in therapy and you look forward to a buzz caused by methadone, you may be addicted.
Other signs of methadone addiction include:
- Seeking higher doses even if you don’t need higher doses to feel normal
- Buying methadone on the street
- Using other opioids while you’re on methadone
- Lying to family, friends or doctors about methadone use
- Experiencing problems at work or school
- Romanticizing methadone or fanaticizing about using the drug
If you’re addicted to methadone purchased on the street, consider enrolling in a certified opioid treatment program. These programs can give you a controlled supply of methadone. They also provide therapy to help you cope with stressors and return to normal life.
Treating Methadone Addiction
Treatment for methadone addiction is similar to treatment for other types of opioid addiction. People addicted to methadone may remain on a controlled dose of the drug during counseling and therapy, or they may detox at a rehab facility.
Counseling and therapy treat underlying causes of drug use. Clients learn to change the way they think. They develop healthy methods to cope with stressors, and they learn strategies for preventing relapse.
Some people stay on prescription methadone for more than a year. This allows them to find a job, establish healthy routines and reconnect with their community. Once they’ve established a strong support system and practiced skills learned during counseling, they taper off methadone with the help of a doctor.
Methadone addiction is different from legitimate use of the drug to relieve withdrawal. The disease of addiction is characterized by compulsive drug use and risky behaviors. The treatment is a controlled regimen that leads to healthy behaviors and lifelong recovery.
