What is Methadone?
Methadone is a long-acting opioid sometimes prescribed to help people reduce or stop their use of heroin or other opioids. It has been around for decades and is typically administered and monitored by a medical provider. Some people find it helpful as part of their recovery process, while others prefer non-medication-based approaches.
At Pride Detox, we understand that recovery looks different for everyone, and we are here to support LGBTQ+ people in choosing a path that feels right for them.
How is Methadone Used?
Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is usually used in medication-assisted treatment of opioid addiction. It is administered in controlled doses in tightly regulated addiction treatment programs to prevent misuse. Some people use methadone short-term to taper off opioids, while others may stay on it longer through what is known as methadone maintenance therapy (MMT).
While methadone has shown success in retaining people in treatment and reducing heroin use, it also carries hefty risks. These dangers include tolerance, dependence, and potential overdose. Also, methadone does not work for everyone, and long-term use can make transitioning to a fully substance-free life more complicated. That is why Pride Detox offers care that prioritizes personal growth, emotional healing, and community support over long-term medication reliance.
Risks and Side Effects of Methadone
Some of the more frequent physical side effects of methadone include drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth, nausea, sweating, flushing, and dizziness. People may also experience slower breathing, a drop in blood pressure, or difficulty urinating. These symptoms, while often manageable, can be uncomfortable and may affect daily functioning.
Others report mood changes, blurred vision, fatigue, and sexual side effects like reduced libido or difficulty reaching orgasm. In rare cases, more serious symptoms like irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, or swelling in the extremities may occur. Methadone can also affect menstrual cycles and contribute to weight gain or memory issues over time.
How Methadone Affects Dental and Skin Health
One of the lesser-known adverse effects of long-term methadone use is its impact on dental health. Because methadone often causes dry mouth and increases the likelihood of tooth decay by reducing saliva production. People may also experience sugar cravings, sedation-related neglect of oral hygiene, and overall decreased self-care. Skin rashes and itching are also occasionally reported.
Can Methadone Cause Dependence and Withdrawal Symptoms?
Since methadone is an opioid, it can indeed cause dependence, and when you try to stop the drug, you could experience withdrawal symptoms. These include flu-like discomfort, e.g., sweating, chills, diarrhea, and body aches, to more serious effects like intense restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, and even hallucinations.
These methadone withdrawal symptoms happen because the body develops tolerance for the drug. This means that people who are on methadone to treat opioid use disorder may end up getting addicted to the drug, needing higher and higher doses to feel “normal.”
Methadone Overdose and Black Box Warnings
Methadone overdose can lead to dangerously slowed or stopped breathing, unconsciousness, and death. Signs of an overdose include pinpoint pupils, pale or clammy skin, blue lips, vomiting, and severe drowsiness. Emergency treatment involves naloxone. However, because methadone stays in the body much longer than naloxone, repeated doses may be needed.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes a black box warning for methadone, citing its risks of fatal overdose, respiratory depression, QT prolongation (a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem), and neonatal withdrawal in babies born to mothers who use methadone during pregnancy. Using methadone with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system depressants heightens these risks.
Methadone Mortality Risk and Harm Reduction
According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics and a Charleston Gazette investigation, between 1999 and 2004, methadone-related fatalities rose dramatically. In 1999, there were 790 deaths in which methadone was a contributing factor; by 2004, that number had ballooned to 3,849. Roughly 82 percent of those deaths were accidental, and most involved methadone taken alongside other CNS depressants, benzodiazepines being the most common.
This spike shows just how important careful dosing, close medical supervision, and avoiding dangerous drug combinations are when methadone is part of a person's treatment plan.
Pride Detox Can Help You Get Off Methadone
Quitting methadone can be difficult, especially without support. While it may not be as intensely addictive as heroin, stopping it suddenly can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that are tough to manage alone. Trauma-informed addiction treatment can make a big difference, and Pride Detox offers this kind of holistic care. With us, LGBTQ people can safely go through methadone detox and begin recovery from opioid addiction. If you or someone you care about is struggling with methadone use, reaching out to us for help at 1-866-465-6889 is a solid first step.
Methadone can be used in managing pain and is increasingly being used as a second-line option when traditional opioids are not sufficient. Like traditional opioids, it binds to mu-opioid receptors to provide pain relief. However, methadone also blocks NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, which are involved in the development of opioid tolerance and certain chronic pain conditions, such as cancer, neuropathic pain, and opioid-induced hyperalgesia. Because methadone’s effects and interactions can be tricky, only healthcare providers familiar with its dosing, tapering, and safety precautions should prescribe it.
Methadone maintenance therapy is often prolonged, with some people remaining on it for years or even indefinitely. While people are often encouraged to stay on it for a couple of weeks to months, coming off it is rarely easy. The withdrawal process can be tough, and over time, some feel stuck or overly reliant on the medication. Though it is meant to support recovery, long-term use can sometimes get in the way of deeper healing or developing new ways to cope.
Methadone does not usually show up on standard drug tests like the 5- or 7-panel screenings. That is because it has a different structure from other opioids like morphine, so typical opioid tests do not detect it. Unless a test is specifically designed to look for methadone (which is more common in 10- or 12-panel tests), it likely will not be picked up. These targeted tests are more expensive and not often used unless there is a specific reason.
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Our team of compassionate professionals understands the unique challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community in seeking treatment, and we are here to provide the support and care you need to begin your journey towards recovery.