Depending on treatments, bodily responses, and individual factors, the length of safe time someone can use methadone varies case by case. However, unlike other shorter-term prescriptions, this medication for addiction can be prescribed up to a few years.
The only way to fully answer this question is to consult a certified specialist. They’ll help you answer the following questions: what is methadone? Can you get addicted to methadone? How long can you be on methadone? Advice customized to your personal medical history is always the best path for addiction treatment.
What is Methadone?
Methadone is specifically a medication primarily used to treat opioid addiction and its associated withdrawal symptoms. Since methadone in itself is also an opioid, this type of prescription is a short-term answer to aid long-term results.
This medication is primarily utilized to help achieve long-term addiction remission. The difference between methadone and other opioids is that it does not produce a high or euphoric response. It is specifically used for addiction treatment.
What Determines Methadone Treatment Duration?
Just like there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to methadone treatment. The patient’s answers to the methadone treatment duration depend on the following factors.
How long you’ve been on opioids and the depth of your dependency are among the primary determinations of methadone treatment duration. Someone who has had a long, hard struggle with opioid addiction is likely to require a longer prescription period than others. However, individuals who may not have a long history, but have a deep opioid dependency, will also fall into a similar category.
This is why being completely honest with your therapist about your addiction history is the most important aspect of recovery. That is how proper diagnosis, treatment efficacy, and medication duration are accurately determined.
The current state of your health, weight, and other similar factors go into determining how long you can be on methadone. This also means if you have a likelihood of developing certain diseases, methadone treatment duration will likely be minimal. Depending on your current health, methadone treatment can be longer or shorter. Rest assured, regardless of how long or short your methadone treatment period is, there’s no shortage of top-quality treatment options to help you get through to the other side.
In addition to current health, preexisting health conditions play a role in determining your duration of methadone treatment. Safety measures have to be taken depending on any health conditions you have or any coinciding prescriptions you may be taking. This is to ensure maximum safety, and efficacy, as well as to prevent any reactions to other medications.
Methadone treatment duration is heavily dependent on your treatment goals and needs. For example, medication administration as part of ongoing treatment would be utilized differently than if temporary stability needs to be established. Your therapist will know exactly how long and how exactly to utilize medication-assisted treatment based on the programs you’re enrolled in. Depending on the coinciding treatment program you’re taking, medication will be used accordingly to fit your specific goals and needs.
Everyone reacts differently to different types of opioids. Therefore, if you develop any rare, unexpected side effects or allergies to methadone, treatment will be stopped immediately. Doctors closely monitor patients for immediate side effects or any harmful allergies so they can be abruptly countered. Be encouraged that if this occurs, there are alternatives. In this rare case, some other types of medication may be used as a substitute for methadone to produce the same opioid-suppressing outcome.
Common Symptoms of Methadone Addiction
Just because a substance doesn’t produce a high doesn’t mean it’s not addictive. On the contrary, methadone is only prescribed for a short period because of its addiction potential. Immediately seek the appropriate medical assistance if you notice any of the following signs of methadone addiction.
If you attempt to take additional doses without apparent need or direct doctor instruction, methadone dependency might be imminent. Any potentially addictive drug can induce cravings even if it doesn’t produce a high. In fact, it can be easy to overdose on methadone because of the seemingly non-aggressive effects.
If you notice social and work activities faltering after you started taking methadone, it may be because of a developing methadone addiction. Take careful note of how you, your body, and your productivity respond to your methadone prescription doses. Any behavior like social withdrawal or an inability to carry out simple daily or work tasks may be indicative of methadone addiction.
The most dangerous sign of a methadone problem is the inability to control your dosage intake. If you find that you want more methadone than what has been prescribed to you, seek help from your current doctor. Without intake control, overdose is an ever-present danger that requires medical intervention.
Signs of Methadone Withdrawals
Addiction shows signs through several irrepressible, yet controllable actions. Withdrawals occur when the body has gone without a dose of a substance it now requires to keep functioning. This can induce uncomfortable reactions that can promote relapse into addiction.
The most severe symptom of methadone withdrawal is an unprecedented state of depression. These bouts will come about when your body craves another methadone dose. But this side effect is not to be taken lightly. Take immediate action and see your therapist or doctor if you notice depression symptoms that coincide with your medication treatment. Thankfully, this symptom can be helped with therapeutic assistance.
Experiencing increased levels of anxiety after beginning your methadone medication treatment is a tell-tale sign you’re experiencing withdrawals. Don’t delay if this occurs in conjunction with medication, as it can worsen anxiety and lead to panic attacks. This may mean you will also require medication to help gradually ease you off methadone.
When you develop an addiction, it can feel like your body and muscle tissue “beg” for the drug. This can result in body aches until the craving or desired dosage is indulged. Since methadone is supposed to aid previously existing withdrawal symptoms, continued muscle and body aches after methadone prescription could be a sign of methadone withdrawal. This symptom is difficult to pinpoint without medical guidance, so be open with everything you’re feeling during and after medication administration.
A nonpsychoactive medication is not a typical drug to crave, and it doesn’t mean it is “safe” to take more. This could lead to taking beyond the recommended dosage, having potentially harmful consequences. If you begin to experience irrepressible cravings for your medication after use, consult your physician immediately to prevent serious harm.
If you begin feeling nauseous between methadone doses, it may be indicative of methadone addiction and withdrawal. This feeling may or may not include vomiting or dry heaving. These medications should not be making you feel more sick than what you may experience from opioid withdrawal symptoms. The intent behind these medications is to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. If methadone is having adverse effects, speak to a physician immediately.
Methadone withdrawals can raise blood pressure and increase heart rate, depending on the acquired depth of a person’s addiction. This rapid heart rate withdrawal will usually begin within the first 48 hours of use. This can induce anxiety and panic attacks associated with detox if left untreated.
Is Methadone Addiction the Same as Other Opioid Addictions?
It is important to note that while methadone dependency is serious, its withdrawal symptoms and severity are often milder than other opioids. But you can still overdose on a methadone prescription, making it equally dangerous. Nonetheless, the danger of developing a new addiction is the reason behind it’s recommended to enter a formal detox program for opioid addiction. It can provide serious medical administration, adherence, and monitoring through the medication-assisted treatment process.
Heal from Opioid Addiction at Eagle Creek Recovery
Our compassionate treatment team is eager to help you through every stage of opioid recovery. Better yet, we can make your journey of healing an uplifting experience that helps you plan for a life without addiction. Our team of addiction specialists can help you develop strategies and create a personal treatment plan to help you succeed. Contact us today to learn more.
Clinical Director
Kendall Maloof is the clinical director at Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has held multiple leadership roles before settling here at Eagle Creek. Kendall received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2016. Her career in mental and behavioral health began in 2014 when she took up internships in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors. She interned at multiple reputable companies, such as The Living Success Center and 449 Recovery in California.
In 2019, Kendall became the clinical director of Sunsets Recovery for Woman, a dual diagnosis program in southern California. Kendall is a natural leader. She has an incredible ability to problem solve and stay calm in any situation. Kendall never fails to show up when she is needed, and her calm demeanor makes her team and clients feel at ease. Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery is proud to have Kendall as our clinical director.
