Methadone how long

Methadone is a long-acting opioid drug used to replace the shorter-acting opioids that someone may be addicted to, such as heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl or hydromorphone. Long-acting means that the drug acts more slowly in the body, for a longer period of time. The effects of methadone last for 24 to 36 hours. In contrast, a person who uses short-acting opioids to avoid withdrawal must use three to four times a day.

When taken at the correct dose, methadone prevents withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings without causing the person to feel high euphoric or sleepy. This lowers the harms associated with opioid misuse and gives people who are addicted to opioids a chance to stabilize their lives.

This treatment is known as methadone maintenance, which is a type of opioid agonist therap y. Methadone therapy for opioid addiction works similar to buprenorphine , another opioid agonist therapy. When combined with medical and supportive care, methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective treatments for opioid addiction, although one may work better than the other for some people.

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.

You should also talk to your doctors about your plans after giving birth. Breastfeeding is generally considered safe during methadone treatment.

If you want to stop taking methadone, your doctor will talk to you about an appropriate tapering timeline. They may advise waiting until your body feels back to normal. One last warning: Relapse is common among opioid users.

After you detox from methadone, your opioid tolerance will be much lower than it used to be. If you relapse with heroin or prescription painkillers, you will be at risk of a life-threatening overdose. It is not unusual for people with opioid use disorders to go on and off methadone over the course of several months or years. Proper addiction treatment takes a multifaceted approach that combines medication management with psychotherapy and social support.

Relapse rates among people with opioid use disorders are very high. Research shows that roughly 3 in 4 people who complete opioid detoxification relapse within 2 to 3 years. Relapse is a part of the recovery process. Knowing the odds will help you understand the value of ongoing treatment. Remember that it is not uncommon for people to overdose and die during a relapse.

Fortunately, there is a non-opioid medication available that can help reduce your risk. Naltrexone binds to the opioid receptors and acts like a blockade, preventing other opioids from binding to those same receptors. Naltrexone is available with a prescription and can be taken as a daily pill or a monthly injection. This can take as long as 14 days. Research shows that a combination of talk therapy and medication management is more effective at treating opioid use disorders than medication alone.

When it comes to therapy, you have a variety of options. Once you have tapered down, you might want to find something more convenient, like a therapist in private practice or at a local community health clinic. You can also look into group therapy sessions, which are often held at hospitals and other addiction treatment facilities.

Finally, social support is a key aspect of relapse prevention. Many people find support at local step meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous. To find more information about Narcotics Anonymous NA meetings in your area, check out their website. You can find a meeting near you with their searchable directory. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

If your loved one is trying to recover from opioid addiction, you may want to consider a support group for friends and family, such as Nar-Anon. Recovery can be a slow and grueling slog at times, but things will get better—just keep at it. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. World Health Organization. Methadone maintenance treatment. Geneva: World Health Organization.

American Society for Addiction Medicine. Published June 1, Individuals progress through drug addiction treatment at various rates, so there is no predetermined length of treatment.

However, research has shown unequivocally that good outcomes are contingent on adequate treatment length. Generally, for residential or outpatient treatment, participation for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness, and treatment lasting significantly longer is recommended for maintaining positive outcomes.

Your starting dose is based on: the amount of heroin you are using whether you are using other drugs or alcohol a urine sample to test for heroin and other drugs your physical and mental health whether you have had treatment for drug addiction before You will usually start on 10mg to 30mg, taken once a day. Getting your prescription You will get your first prescription or script from your GP, or a prescriber at your drug treatment service.

Important: Coronavirus information The way you get your prescriptions and medicine may change. Supervised doses When you start your treatment, and until your dose is stabilised, a key worker or pharmacist will usually supervise you as you take methadone. How long will I take it for? What if I miss my dose?

What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Contact your doctor or key worker now if:. You have taken too much methadone and: you feel very drowsy or you're finding it difficult to breathe. They will help you make a new treatment plan. Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or key worker if the side effects bother you or do not go away: constipation feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy mild headache feeling cold and sweating more than usual dry eyes, mouth and nose seeing things that are not there hallucinations , changes in mood or feeling confused Serious side effects Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in people.

Immediate action required: Call now if:. Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to methadone. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: constipation — try to get more fibre into your diet by eating fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water or other non-alcoholic liquid each day.

If you can, it may also help to do some exercise. If your symptoms do not go away, speak to a pharmacist or doctor about medicine to help prevent or treat constipation caused by methadone. Talk to your doctor if it carries on for longer. If you're being sick, try small frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Talk to your doctor if these side effects carry on for longer. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.

Headaches will usually go away after the first week of using methadone. If they are severe or last longer than a week, talk to your doctor. They may need to adjust your dose. For dry eyes, ask a pharmacist for advice about eye drops called artificial tears.

For a dry mouth, have frequent sips of water or other cold drinks. Methadone and pregnancy If recreational drugs are part of your life, getting help can really improve the outlook for you and your baby.

Methadone and breastfeeding Talk to your doctor, midwife or health visitor if you want to breastfeed while taking methadone. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Important Do not take morphine, buprenorphine, codeine or any other opioids while taking methadone. Tell your doctor before starting on methadone if you are taking: medicines to help you sleep, such as temazepam antidepressants particularly monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as tranylcypromine, phenelzine and isocarboxazid medicines for anxiety or stress, such as lorazepam and diazepam medicine for heart rhythm problems, such as amiodarone, verapamil, diltiazem medicines to help you stop feeling or being sick, such as metoclopramide medicines for infections, including fungal infections medicines for HIV medicines for epilepsy, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine Taking methadone with painkillers It's usually ok to take methadone with paracetamol , ibuprofen or aspirin.

Mixing methadone with herbal remedies and supplements There may be a problem taking St John's wort with methadone. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

How does methadone work? Methadone is a man-made opioid, similar to morphine or heroin. How long does methadone take to work? How long will I take methadone for? Can I take methadone for a long time? How will methadone make me feel? Will I become dependent on methadone? How will I know if I'm dependent on it? What will happen if I stop taking methadone? Can I drink alcohol with methadone?

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? It can make side effects worse Apart from avoiding grapefruit, and reducing alcohol, you can eat and drink normally while taking methadone. Are there other treatments for heroin addiction? Agonists These are drugs that work on certain receptors in your brain and give you the full opioid effect "high".

Partial agonists These also work on the opioid receptors in your brain, but to a much lesser extent, so you get less of a high. Antagonists These attach themselves to your opioid receptors and block the effect of opioid drugs.

Will methadone affect my contraception? Will methadone affect my fertility?