The Most Common Methadone FAQs

The effectiveness of methadone for treating opioid addiction has been well-documented and is backed by numerous research studies. If you’re seeking treatment for yourself or your loved one, the FAQs below answers the most common questions about methadone to help you make a guided decision.

What Makes Methadone Effective?

To begin with, methadone is a synthetic opioid used to treat opioid addiction. As an opioid, methadone works similarly to other opioids by activating brain receptors. However, unlike drugs like heroin, which have a shorter half-life and are shorter acting, methadone is longer acting.

With heroin and other illicit drugs, one can experience withdrawal symptoms in as little as six to 12 hours after the last dose. In contrast, longer-acting drugs, such as LAAM, buprenorphine, and methadone, help reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms because symptoms can take up to two days to present. This makes it easier to control cravings and avoid relapse, which is why methadone is so effective.

Is Methadone Safe?

Methadone can be a very safe treatment for opioid addiction when taken as prescribed and under the supervision of qualified medical personnel. However, methadone can be dangerous if misused. For instance, methadone should not be prescribed if the person takes some medication that doesn’t interact well with it. In addition, patients should not consume alcohol or other illicit opioids while on methadone.

Is Methadone Addictive?

It’s worth mentioning again that methadone should only be taken as prescribed in a medically supervised environment. Otherwise, the patient can become dependent on the medication, leading to withdrawal symptoms. This is why medical supervision is important, as it facilitates the assessment of your response in regards to which dosage is perfect for you.

Some individuals are more tolerant of methadone than others. In any case, as the treatment progresses, the dosage will gradually be tapered until the maintenance dosage is reached.

What’s the Cost of Methadone?

The good news is that methadone treatment can be very affordable, more so than other approved medications for opioid addiction. It’s important to note that the cost of methadone treatment is influenced by several factors, such as location and the length of treatment required. The cost also depends on whether insurance coverage applies. In addition, the cost will vary based on the type of treatment, of which there are inpatient, outpatient, and office-based treatments.

All in all, methadone is an effective and safe treatment for opioid addiction. If you would like to learn more, get in touch with Peace Medical in Florida today. We look forward to helping you start treatment!