Methadone is a prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD).
Methadone is used as part of a medication-assisted treatment program. It is administered daily in either a tablet or liquid form by a licensed opioid treatment program or methadone doctors.
At Fusion Recovery, our philosophy goes beyond just administering the medication as a methadone clinic. We believe that true recovery starts when you understand the root of your addiction. Our methadone maintenance program includes individualized treatment plans for our clients that includes therapy.
Benefits of methadone maintenance treatment:
Stops opioid cravings.
Reduces withdrawal symptoms.
Blocks the effects of opioids.
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Assess
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Stabilize
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Maintain
Once you are stabilized with the appropriate maintenance dosage, our clinical team will administer your dose of methadone daily until you can safely stop opioids completely. Methadone maintenance treatment can last from several months to several days of daily treatment.
Free yourself from the cycle of addiction.
A methadone treatment program can help you remain on the right path in recovery. While methadone is a great start to treatment, at Fusion Recovery we believe that sustainable recovery takes more than that. With the compassion, support, and guidance of our experienced team, we offer therapy and treatment services that are the foundation of our program. We aim to help you uncover the root problem of your addiction and help you heal your inner wounds. Once you better understand your addiction, we can help you prevent relapse and free yourself from addiction.
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Methadone is not a simple cure for opioid addiction. Methadone is a tool to help you stop using opioids and begin to live a healthier life. Methadone helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, so you do not have the urge to use drugs.
Overall, methadone is a safe and effective treatment option for opioid addiction. If you have questions about our program or would like to learn more about Fusion Recovery and our methadone maintenance program, please reach out to us! Our staff is on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Both methadone and suboxone are used during medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. Both of these medications are effective methods of addiction treatment, although there is a possibility for misuse. Suboxone requires a higher dosage than methadone for treatment and is less effective for avoiding relapse, though methadone is more addictive.
Both medications may cause similar mental and physical symptoms such as constipation, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble concentrating, drowsiness, shallow breathing, or sexual problems. Stopping the use of either medication may also lead to symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal or methadone withdrawal, especially if the medication is stopped cold turkey instead of tapered off.
Methadone shows up in saliva drug tests within 10 to 30 minutes and often can still be found in the system at 7 to 10 days. The length of time the drug is present in your body will vary depending on how much the user had taken when it was last consumed etc.
Generally, methadone will be released entirely from the system within a few weeks.
Methadone blocks the opioid receptors in your brain to decrease the chances of relapse. Methadone blocks the effects of illicit drugs and prescription painkillers, so the urge to use these substances is lessened. This medication is typically first administered during medical detox and then continued throughout the rest of treatment.
A team of medical professionals will prescribe methadone to clients suffering from opioid use disorder. As methadone itself can become addictive if not taken as prescribed, it is important to receive this treatment from certified healthcare providers. Each dose of methadone is formulated specifically for each client, and typically will receive periodic adjustments so patients can be slowly detached from dependence on substances.
Just like any drug, methadone has the capacity to become addictive if abused, but it is not inherently addictive. When it is administered by medical professionals at a rehab facility, patients only receive a controlled amount that they cannot abuse, and then are slowly weaned off the dependence on this substance.
Since methadone blocks the opioid receptors in your brain, it does not produce any euphoric effects that come along with opioid use. Not only does this help reduce the risk of relapse, but it also reduces the risk of dependence on methadone as well, as it will not produce the same effects present in substance abuse.
Methadone does include a variety of side effects that a patient may endure, although these are less intense than the side effects of opioid use and opioid withdrawal. Even when taken correctly, methadone can have certain side effects such as lightheadedness, shallow breathing, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, confusion, hallucinations, tremors, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Although these side effects sound frightening, opioid withdrawal symptoms and potential relapses are much more threatening, as these can result in fatality. When taken as prescribed, this medication cannot result in overdose.
When taking methadone, patients should avoid alcohol consumption and be cautious when driving or operating machinery. It’s also important to store the medication at room temperature, as well as keep it away from light sources. Patients should avoid Medication Assisted Treatment if they are not receiving it from a medical professional, or if they have become addicted to the drugs prescribed before.
Methadone should also be avoided in patients who take other medications, such as anti-anxiety, antidepressants, pain medications, sleeping pills, or medication for heart arrhythmias. If you plan to become or are pregnant, do not take this medication. If you have low blood pressure, breathing disorders, or seizures, methadone treatment is not right for you.
Although methadone has side effects and can potentially be abused, it is a much safer alternative to opioid addiction.
Since this treatment blocks the opioid receptors, it decreases the rate of relapse and helps patients stay on the path toward recovery. When used in addition to other treatments for substance abuse and mental illness, such as counseling and behavioral therapies, along with support groups like Narcotics Anonymous, patients have a greater likelihood of overcoming their addiction.
As mental health issues can often lead to substance use disorders, therapy is important in treating the cause of addiction, while methadone simply treats the symptoms. With Medication Assisted Treatment, patients are able to begin a new path in life, free from the burden of substance abuse.