For those who are addicted to heroin and other opioid substances, methadone treatment is considered the best way to slowly reduce dependency on opioids. Methadone is prescribed by drug treatment doctors because quitting opioids abruptly can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.

Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid that is widely used to treat opioid addiction, as well as chronic pain. Its usage allows you to reduce withdrawal symptoms that develop as a result of stopping the use of narcotics such as heroin and satisfies cravings without making the patient high. Since the 1960s, methadone is being used to treat heroin dependency in the United States.

How long does methadone withdrawal last?

Since methadone is itself a synthetic opioid, it is not recommended to stop using it suddenly. It is a must for a patient to consult the drug addiction treatment doctor to taper the dose accordingly and help stop drug usage gradually.

The duration of methadone withdrawal can range from one person to another and depends on various factors. Its withdrawal may last anywhere from two to three weeks to up to six months. It depends on how severe your opioid addiction is and how long you are taking methadone.

Generally, it takes around 24 to 36 hours when a patient starts experiencing methadone withdrawal symptoms after stopping it. While initial symptoms of withdrawal are typically mild and may include anxiety, restlessness, a runny nose, tiredness, watery eyes, and sweating, other methadone withdrawal symptoms may include drug cravings, muscle cramps, severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. The severe symptoms are usually at their worst over the first week.

Therefore, a person who is taking methadone to treat their opioid addiction is recommended to stop taking methadone only under a supervision of medical professionals of a drug treatment facility.

Why is methadone treatment considered better for opioid addiction?

While using methadone to treat opioid addiction might seem like you are trading one addiction for another, it is not the same in reality. Taking methadone does help in reducing withdrawal symptoms and treat addiction fully or significantly. Though methadone is itself a habit-forming medication when taken in higher doses, there are many benefits of taking methadone under medical supervision, such as:

  • Methadone is a relatively safe medication because it does not impair or cause permanent damage to your brain and the body.
  • Methadone is a regulated medication and it is not taken or cut with other substances.
  • Methadone is legally available at methadone clinics which means it doesn’t force users to engage in secretive, illegal, or self-destructive behavior.
  • When taken under the supervision of a doctor as per prescription, it is difficult to overdose.

How long does methadone treatment last?

The length of duration of methadone treatment depends on the situation of the person receiving the treatment. While six months to one year is a good term for some people for methadone maintenance, other people may need to stay on methadone indefinitely if it helps them stay sober and clean. Uncomfortable symptoms may occur in people who have been taking methadone for a long time. However, in most cases, withdrawal from methadone is milder than from other opiates.

For people suffering from opioid use disorder, visiting a methadone clinic in Clinton or near them is the best step towards a good life.