Why is methadone used to treat opiate addiction

Some patients may require long-term maintenance. Patients must work with their MAT practitioner to gradually reduce their methadone dosage to prevent withdrawal. Methadone is safe and effective, when taken as prescribed. Methadone medication is specifically tailored for the individual patient and doses are often adjusted and readjusted and is never to be shared with or given to others. This is particularly important for patients who take methadone at home and are not required to take medication under direct supervision at an OTP.

Patients should share their complete health history with health providers to ensure the safe use of the medication. Other medications may interact with methadone and cause heart conditions. Unintentional overdose is possible if patients do not take methadone as prescribed.

Side effects should be taken seriously, as some of them may indicate an emergency. Patients should stop taking methadone and contact a doctor or emergency services right away.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can safely take methadone. Comprehensive methadone maintenance treatment should include prenatal care to reduce the risks of complications during pregnancy and at birth. Undergoing methadone maintenance treatment while pregnant does not cause birth defects.

Pregnant woman who experience withdrawal may be at risk of miscarriage or premature birth, as withdrawal can cause the uterus to contract. It allows people to recover from their addiction and to reclaim active and meaningful lives. For optimal results, patients should also participate in a comprehensive medication-assisted treatment MAT program that includes counseling and social support.

Methadone works by changing how the brain and nervous system respond to pain. It lessens the painful symptoms of opiate withdrawal and blocks the euphoric effects of opiate drugs such as heroin, morphine, and codeine, as well as semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Methadone is offered in pill, liquid, and wafer forms and is taken once a day. Pain relief from a dose of methadone lasts about four to eight hours. As with all medications used in medication-assisted treatment MAT , methadone is to be prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and participation in social support programs.

Patients taking methadone to treat opioid addiction must receive the medication under the supervision of a physician. Methadone maintenance is a long-term treatment. The length of treatment varies from one or two years to 20 years or more. However, if the person taking methadone and their doctor agree to end treatment, the methadone dose is tapered down gradually over many weeks or months, easing the process of withdrawal.

Mixing methadone or buprenorphine with other drugs that depress the central nervous system can be very dangerous. Avoid other opioids, alcohol and benzodiazepines e. Taking these is especially risky when you first start opioid agonist therapy. Using other drugs while taking opioid agonist treatment can also cause your dose of methadone to wear off more quickly, meaning you could experience withdrawal. All opioids have a risk of overdose. The risk is higher with methadone than with buprenorphine.

The risk is especially high when you start treatment, and when you stop taking opioids methadone or other opioids for a while and then start again. Mixing opioids with other drugs also increases the risk of overdose. If you or someone you know uses opioids, it is a good idea to have a free naloxone kit. Athens, Greece. Andover, MA. Wakefield, MA.

Boston, MA. Quincy, MA. Canton, MA. Falmouth, MA. Ashby, MA. Baldwinville, MA. Ottawa, ON. Bethlehem, CT. Calverton, NY. New York City, NY. Waymart, PA. Call A treatment facility paid to have their center promoted here.

Learn more about how to be featured in a paid listing. Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Chats will be received and answered by one of treatment providers listed below, each of which is a paid advertiser:. Methadone Addiction And Abuse Methadone is sometimes used to reduce cravings for other Opioids, but Methadone is also an addictive substance in its own right.

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