Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Medications for substance use disorder treatment can help people attain and maintain sobriety from certain substances, such as opioids, particularly when used in combination with behavioral interventions to comprehensively address addiction and addiction-related issues.1 FDA-approved medications like methadone provide various benefits in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).1 Keep reading to learn more about methadone for addiction treatment and how to find effective, evidence-based treatment for OUD near you.
What Is Methadone?
Methadone is one of the FDA-approved medications for addiction treatment that can be safely and effectively used to treat opioid use disorder.1,2 Of the few medications used for OUD, it has the longest track record and has historically been used to treat the most people in the world.2
How does methadone work? Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist, which means that it binds to and gradually activates opioid receptors to minimize opioid withdrawal, reduce cravings, and additionally block the effects of other opioid drugs to be used while on methadone treatment.2,3 It is available in different oral formulations for OUD treatment, such as tablets, liquid concentrates, and oral solutions made from dispersible tablets.2
Methadone for opioid addiction may be prescribed as a generic or under brand names like Methadose and Dolophine.4 In the U.S., methadone can only be dispensed in specially licensed opioid treatment programs (OTPs).1
It’s important to note that while there may be some misuse of diverted pharmaceutical methadone, methadone maintenance programs are legal.1 Being enrolled in a formal methadone maintenance program allows a person to use methadone legally under the supervision of a physician.1
What Is Methadone Prescribed For?
Methadone is prescribed for opioid withdrawal and maintenance therapy for opioid use disorders.2 Methadone uses include minimizing or eliminating withdrawal symptoms, blunting or blocking the effects of illicit opioids (or other opioids to be misused nonmedically while on treatment), and reducing or eliminating opioid cravings.2
People who may receive methadone include those who are undergoing medically supervised withdrawal, as well as those who have entered the maintenance phase of treatment for opioid use disorder.2 In addition to managing acute withdrawal symptoms during the active detoxification phase, methadone can be used over the long term to help prevent relapse to opioid misuse following medically supervised withdrawal.2
According to guidelines from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA), people with a history of at least one year of opioid addiction may be candidates for admission to an OTP for methadone treatment.2
Side Effects of Methadone
It’s possible to experience methadone side effects, with respiratory depression being one of the most serious that can occur when a person first starts taking methadone as well as when their dose increases.2 This is why doctors will typically prescribe the lowest effective dose for a person’s specific needs and then gradually increase their dose as necessary.2
Despite the benefits, people may experience some side effects of methadone treatment, which can include:2,4
- Lightheadedness or dizziness.
- Sedation and drowsiness.
- Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and constipation.
- Sweating.
When taken as directed under a physician’s supervision, side effects may be monitored and doses adjusted as needed, allowing OUD treatment to proceed safely and effectively. It’s also important to note that, though methadone is itself an opioid agonist drug, methadone maintenance programs are safer than continuing to use illicit drugs.5,6
People in formal methadone maintenance programs are at less risk of contracting diseases associated with needle sharing, such as HIV or hepatitis, less likely to be involved with the criminal justice system, and less likely to die due to overdose.5
Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder
Methadone for opioid use disorder may be used to both help people through the withdrawal phase of early recovery and then can be continued as a part of a maintenance program.2
Methadone for opioid withdrawal has been shown to be an effective way to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.2,3 Undergoing a supervised medical detox program that involves medications like methadone can help people become medically stable and allow them to continue to the maintenance phase of treatment.2,3
Once a person enters the maintenance phase, methadone can help manage cravings, which can help them maintain their sobriety and recovery.6 Methadone treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes, even if not paired with regular counseling services.6
How Long Does Methadone Treatment Last?
People may take methadone over the short or long term, in which case it is known as methadone maintenance therapy.2
Medication like methadone can help people stay sober long enough so that they can make necessary life changes, manage problems and other aspects of their lives, and learn specific skills to help prevent relapse.2
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the best outcomes typically occur when people receive medications for as long as they experience a benefit.2
It’s important to note that people who stop taking medications for OUD often experience relapse.2 This is why it is usually necessary for people struggling with OUD to engage in a comprehensive treatment program that addresses all aspects of the addiction and not just the physical symptoms.2
Benefits of Methadone Maintenance Therapy
Methadone, like other medications used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), offers various advantages for people in recovery.
Being in a methadone maintenance program allows people to consider their options. When someone is in a methadone maintenance program, they no longer have to worry about managing repeated instances of withdrawal with an uncertain supply of illicit or diverted opioids and can begin to reflect on other changes that they might want to make in their life.6 While caught up in the cycle of substance misuse, a person may be unable to do this.6
Studies indicate that medications such as methadone can deliver benefits that include:1,2,5
- Reduced or eliminated cravings.
- Lowered rates of illicit opioid use.
- Increased rates of treatment retention.
- Improved health and functioning.
- Safety in pregnancy.
- Lowered risk of overdose fatality.
- Reduced risk of HIV and HCV.
- Increased likelihood of employment.
- Improved quality of life.
Opioid Addiction Treatment in Las Vegas
Seeking treatment for opioid use disorders is the first step on the path to lasting recovery. While treatment can look different for everyone, it generally involves various types of rehab.
Desert Hope, an inpatient rehab in Las Vegas, offers evidence-based treatment for OUD on different levels of addiction treatment, including medical detox and our Las Vegas, Nevada outpatient rehab.
If you or someone you care about are struggling, we are here to help. Please call our free, confidential and no-obligation helpline at to speak to a caring, knowledgeable admissions navigator about your treatment options. We can help you start the admissions process, explain how to use insurance coverage for rehab, and help you understand other ways to pay for rehab.