Methadone is a substance in the opioid category of drugs. This category refers to the addictive and psychological effects of the drugs, though they can have practical applications.
In general, methadone is a prescribed drug, often given by doctors to help treat or alleviate extreme pain. Though this is more common in countries such as the US, the UK still prescribes a high number of opioid-based drug treatments to those suffering from long-term or chronic pain (1).
Methadone is also widely used as part of addiction treatment – specifically, a heroin addiction.
This is useful during an individual’s rehabilitation, as the properties of methadone greatly help this process.
By reducing the withdrawal symptoms of someone addicted to heroin, methadone allows the individual to focus on the psychological aspects of their recovery, without the potentially damaging physical effects that come along with this.
However, because methadone is in the same category of opioid drugs as heroin, this substance is also widely abused.
Although it does not provide the same level of ‘buzz’ or high as heroin, the effects still provide extreme short-term gratification and can quickly lead to an addiction if not properly moderated.
As mentioned previously, the structures of methadone and heroin are extremely similar, meaning that they affect the individual in similar ways.
This similarity has caused many problems in terms of government restrictions as the effects are so similar that the introduction of methadone-based treatments was held back in some countries for a long time (2).
Despite this, methadone is now a recommended treatment in some cases for those suffering from long-term heroin addiction.
Methadone helps the rehabilitation process by reducing the harmful withdrawal symptoms that an individual may experience when attempting to detox from heroin. This is achieved when the methadone binds to the heroin receptors in the body, still providing the effects that the individual is addicted to, but in a far less harmful way.
This usage is then slowly decreased to help the individual abstain from further usage without causing extreme stress or trauma to the body.
During this time, individuals are then able to fully commit to other treatment programmes such as individual counselling, group therapies, or other tailored treatments.
Although it is possible to become addicted to methadone, this chance is greatly reduced with proper and professional support, as well as a good understanding of the treatment being undertaken, and the risks associated.
When used as part of a heroin addiction treatment plan, methadone is always prescribed by a medical professional, either in a rehabilitation centre or in an outpatient addiction service provider.
Throughout the process, this usage will be carefully monitored and adjusted when and where necessary.
By varying the dosage based on the individual’s reaction and the observed and monitored effects, the treatment programme will be far more effective, meaning that the duration of the process will be far more efficient.
In terms of consumption, methadone is generally available in three forms: liquid, powder, and tablet (3). The type used will vary between individual case and the doctor prescribing it but rest assured that this decision will not be made without the individual’s full understanding and consent.
In general, methadone treatment programmes are used alongside other addiction treatment programmes such as therapies commonly associated with rehabilitation.
This includes, but is not limited to:
In almost all cases of heroin addiction treatment, a combination of psychological and physical treatments is recommended due to the damaging effects that heroin abuse can have in both areas.
Methadone-based treatments should always be fully supervised and monitored to ensure the individual’s health and well-being during the rehabilitation process.
Methadone usage, when administered and monitored correctly can be extremely effective. Its most useful benefit is that it provides stability to the individual during this process.
This refers to removing the stress or negative effects of withdrawal symptoms by reducing their impact on the individual. These withdrawal symptoms include nausea, depression, body tremors, and, in serious cases, seizures and heart complications.
By alleviating these impacts, the individual is far more able to focus on the other aspects of rehabilitation such as the psychological effects.
Without the need to worry or focus on the harmful physical and mental effects that withdrawal may cause in some individuals, it is far easier to apply and commit to other rehabilitation treatments such as the ones listed in the previous paragraph.
In addition, using methadone in a safe and rehabilitative way, massively reduces the chances of catching infectious diseases which are a risk when methadone is administered unsafely.
Generally, the application of methadone-based treatments increases the chances of success of treatment, meaning that individuals who undertake this treatment are more likely to experience a long-term recovery as well as abstain from heroin for longer.
Bear in mind, methadone is only effective when used in a way suitable for the individual and when tailored and adjusted for their needs and requirements.
On the other hand, methadone can have some negative effects. As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, methadone is still in the opioid category of drugs, meaning that it is still addictive due to the psychological effects it causes.
As a result of this, methadone abuse comes with all the negative effects of addiction. Included within this is the potential for an overdose, sometimes resulting in a coma or, in extreme cases, death.
In addition, and with all pharmacological-based treatments, methadone can cause side effects in some individuals. These include common effects such as nausea but can also have some rarer side effects such as long-term and persistent sweating and constipation (4).
Similar to heroin, methadone can also cause sleepiness, sometimes resulting in deep sleep or comas. This can carry its own risks when combined with nausea and sickness.
Furthermore, when used by pregnant women, there can be further dangers such as increased chance of miscarriages, stillbirths, and smaller-born babies.
Mothers taking methadone at the time of pregnancy are often supported through continued usage during gestation to avoid negative effects to the baby, with a safe withdrawal achieved in controlled circumstances (5).
In all cases, commencing a methadone-based treatment should be thoroughly researched and discussed with a professional. This is not suitable for every individual case, and where it is, utmost care must still be taken to ensure the effectiveness of this treatment and full safety of the individual.
In some cases, and as mentioned above, methadone-based treatments are not always appropriate.
There are many reasons why someone may not be able to undertake a methadone-based treatment, such as previous history with drug abuse, or lack of support available when conducting at-home treatment courses when residential rehab is not appropriate.
In these cases, for these specific individuals, there are many alternative options.
For example, there is a massive increase in the modern world around psychological and behavioural therapies. This includes commonly experienced treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which includes changing the individual’s cognitions and thoughts around certain aspects of their behaviours.
With help from a professional counsellor, individuals are able to work through these psychological issues, some of which they may have ignored or subdued unknowingly.
CBT has high success rates and is widely supported as one of the most flexible and beneficial treatments for those suffering from mental health issues – one of the most common symptoms of addiction.
Alternatively, individuals may be suitable for alternative pharmacological treatments such as naltrexone, which is used to reduce heroin cravings (6), or buprenorphine, which reduces the risk of overdoses or deaths as a result of opiate-based abuse (7).
To learn more about methadone treatment, or to ask any questions about anything on this page, please get in contact with Rehab 4 Addiction by contacting us through our website or calling our addiction support hotline on 0800 140 4690.
[1] https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/safe-use-of-controlled-drugs/opioids/
[2] Houborg, E., 2012. The political pharmacology of methadone and heroin in Danish drug policy. Contemporary Drug Problems, 39(1), pp.155-192.
[3] https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/methadone#addiction
[4] Kreek, M.J., 1973. Medical safety and side effects of methadone in tolerant individuals. Jama, 223(6), pp.665-668.
[5] Jarvis, M.A. and Schnoll, S.H., 1994. Methadone treatment during pregnancy. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 26(2), pp.155-161.
[6] Gonzalez, J.P. and Brogden, R.N., 1988. Naltrexone. Drugs, 35(3), pp.192-213.
[7] Fatseas, M. and Auriacombe, M., 2007. Why buprenorphine is so successful in treating opiate addiction in France. Current psychiatry reports, 9(5), pp.358-364.
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
