Methadone: Treatment Uses, Effects, and Withdrawal Management

What Is Methadone?

Methadone is a man-made, FDA-approved prescription medication to help a person recover from an opioid use disorder (OUD). It can also be used for pain management.^1,2

Studies have shown that for people with an OUD, methadone is more effective than treatment without medication, medically supervised withdrawal, or no treatment. Methadone can help people manage their cravings for opioids even after formal treatment for OUD.³ Studies also show that methadone may help reduce overdose deaths.⁴

Methadone can be taken as a tablet, oral solution, or injected in liquid form; however, it is highly regulated and must be administered by a qualified treatment professional who can supervise the appropriate dosage and ensure it is individualized to a person’s unique needs.^2,3

Benefits of Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Benefits of using methadone to treat OUD may include:⁴

• Reduction of illicit opioid use.
• Patient retention in treatment.
• Reduction in the use of opioids by injection.
• Lower rates of HIV and hepatitis C transmission.
• Fewer deaths related to opioid dependence.
• Less criminal activity by those who use opioids.

While methadone can be effective at treating OUD, repeated use can lead to physiological dependence, which means a person will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking methadone.³ Methadone should only be stopped under the guidance of the prescribing physician.^3,4

How Long Does It Take to Get Off Methadone?

Though it is not as strong as some of the other abused opioids, you can still easily become physically and psychologically addicted to methadone if you use it without the supervision of a healthcare provider.

When you stop using methadone, withdrawal symptoms will usually begin to appear 36 hours to 72 hours after use and peak at roughly 96 hours (4 days).¹

Detoxing From Methadone

Methadone withdrawal can be a difficult, drawn-out experience. But you do not need to go through the process of detoxing from methadone alone. This article explains the methadone detox process and discusses different treatment program options. It focuses on:

• How long methadone withdrawal takes.
• Side effects of methadone withdrawal.
• Different methadone detox programs.
• What happens after detox.
• Methadone detox at home.

What Is Methadone Detox Like?

Methadone withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of other opioid drugs. During early withdrawal, you may experience:³

• Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, dysphoria and irritability.
• Craving.
• Lack of an appetite.
• Nausea.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Rapid breathing.
• Watery eyes.
• Runny nose.
• Yawning.
• Dilated pupils.

During the peak stages of withdrawal, you may experience:³

• Abdominal cramps.
• Insomnia.
• Hot and cold flushes.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Increased heart rate.
• Fever.
• Bone aches and muscle twitching.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.

Methadone Withdrawal Risks

While detox from methadone is rarely life-threatening, if you have any medical conditions, such as a heart, liver or seizure condition, you should never attempt detox alone.⁴

Even without other medical conditions, methadone withdrawal can be scary and painful, putting you at risk for relapse. Further, as your body rids itself of methadone, you may experience feelings of depression or anxiety, which are difficult to manage alone.⁴

If you have thoughts of suicide, you should tell someone immediately. Seeking medically supervised detox will help ensure your safety, comfort and success.

Types of Methadone Detox Programs

Detoxing is the process of ridding your body of harmful substances and overcoming a physical addiction to a certain drug. Whether it is administered via a structured medical detox center or done at home, technically, everyone must complete a period of detox as a first step on the path to recovery.

Professional medical detox occurs under the supervision of a healthcare provider and typically involves supportive treatment to minimize withdrawal symptoms.⁴

A variety of types of treatment programs is available. These programs may take place in a range of settings, including standalone detox centers, inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization and outpatient treatment.³ You and your healthcare provider will decide what is best for you.

Methadone Detox Centers

A standalone detox center is a facility that specializes in providing treatment for people who are withdrawing from different substances. You will receive supportive care, including medications and any necessary medical care. You’ll be closely monitored throughout the process to make sure there are no complications.

The center may have therapists or counselors as well to provide addiction counseling and recovery guidance. You remain in the facility until the detox process is complete, and the staff may recommend you transition to a formal inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program when you discharge.

Inpatient Methadone Treatment Clinics

An inpatient methadone detox program may be incorporated into either a hospital-based or residential treatment center and will provide you with 24-hour care. You may transition into the clinic’s treatment program after completing the detox process.

During the day, you participate in individual and group activities. Inpatient detox settings may be best suited for those who have been using methadone for a long time or who have a history of repeated relapse. These clinics are typically the most effective because they remove you from your day-to-day activities and you will have access to your treatment team throughout your stay.³

Partial Hospitalization Treatment Programs

Partial hospitalization allows you to come in during the day for detox services, but return home at night. These programs are also structured and intensive like inpatient settings, but they allow some flexibility and the comfort of sleeping in your own bed at night. During partial hospitalization, you will occasionally meet with your treatment team, and you may be involved in group activities.³

Outpatient Methadone Detox Facilities

Outpatient detoxification refers to a light-touch treatment, where you may visit your team for short appointments or attend group therapy sessions during the day.

Those with milder addictions, or those who have strict employment, school or other obligations may find this type of treatment beneficial. Outpatient settings are usually not as effective as inpatient settings for more severe cases of methadone dependency.³

Selecting a Methadone Detox Clinic

Besides figuring out which type of treatment is right for you, you might want to ask a few additional questions about the specific clinic you’re considering, such as:

• Does the facility allow smoking?
• Can you bring your phone or laptop?
• What features does the program have? (gym, fine dining, swimming, tennis, private rooms etc.)
• Does your insurance cover treatment?
• Where is the center located?
• Can the center accommodate any dietary needs you have?

What Happens in Methadone Detox Centers?

Intake

Upon entering a methadone detox center, you will be evaluated by an addiction treatment professional who will help establish your diagnosis and treatment plan. Be honest about your consumption history so that the best detox regimen can be created for you. Your diagnosis will be based on criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition and will likely include opioid use disorder.⁵

Detoxing From Methadone and Supportive Care

The staff at methadone treatment centers will create a detoxification plan for you. This plan may include tapering a methadone dose along with supportive medications to manage withdrawal symptoms.⁴ For example, clonidine is often prescribed to manage the anxiety, high blood pressure, sweating and restlessness that often occur during the withdrawal period.⁴

You may be encouraged to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration as well. Your progress may be monitored using a withdrawal scale such as The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale.⁴

Referral to Substance Abuse Treatment Centers

When you complete the detox process, your provider may encourage you to continue substance abuse treatment in an inpatient or outpatient center to deal with the root causes of your methadone addiction.

What Happens After Detoxification?

The next steps are counseling, 12-Step meetings or a residential program.

Detoxing is designed to help you overcome the initial hurdle of withdrawal. Methadone detox programs help to manage the physical addiction to methadone, but not necessarily the psychological addiction.

For this reason, the next steps on your road to recovery are psychosocial interventions such as individual counseling or a 12-Step program.⁶ To support their early recovery and encourage prolonged abstinence, some people may also choose to attend a residential program for a few months.

These psychosocial interventions will help you:

• Learn new coping strategies.
• Build a supportive network.
• Overcome feelings of guilt and loneliness.

Residential Treatment Facilities

Residential or inpatient treatment facilities usually involve 30-day, 60-day or 90-day programs, where you live with a group of other previous methadone or other recovering substance users as well as professional support staff. You may participate in individual and group therapy to build coping skills and relapse prevention skills to manage cravings and triggers.³

Methadone Addiction Therapy

Many therapeutic approaches can be used to address methadone addiction. Popular forms of treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing.⁶ These therapies usually occur in a one-on-one setting with a trained counselor such as a nurse, social worker, or psychologist. These include:⁶

• Cognitive behavioral therapy, also called CBT, attempts to alter faulty thinking patterns in order to change behaviors that may be unhealthy. Your CBT therapist will help you identify maladaptive thoughts you may have about yourself or your addiction and teach you strategies to change these thoughts, as well as your reaction to them.
• Motivational interviewing is a therapeutic technique that helps you talk about and move past any ambivalence that you have about methadone addiction. This type of counseling will help you identify discrepancies between your values and your actions.

12-Step Programs

12-Step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous offer social support. These programs believe that treatment should be a combination of behavioral, spiritual and cognitive interventions. Participants are encouraged to find a program sponsor as they begin to work through the 12 Steps of recovery, which include admitting powerlessness over your addiction and making amends to people you harmed during active addiction. Learn more about the AA Big Book and 12 Promises.

How to Find Methadone Detox Near Me

Methadone is a proven medication for opioid use disorder (OUD), but stopping it without medical supervision can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and relapse risk. Understanding the detox process can help you make informed decisions about your next steps toward recovery.

Ready to take the next step? Find methadone detox centers near you that offer safe, supportive care. Search for methadone detox programs on Recovery.com to compare options, verify insurance coverage, and connect with treatment that fits your needs.