Methadone Withdrawal-Methadone Detox Process

For over 25 years Pat Moore Foundation has specialized in oxycodone and other opiate addiction treatment programs. We know first-hand the powerful addictive and destructive qualities of oxycodone and prescription drug abuse. Following is a short information guide on oxycodone abuse, addiction, symptoms, risks, hydrocodone, suboxone detox and treatment. We provide this as a service to Pat Moore Foundation family and friends, as well as for anyone seeking helpful and insightful information on oxycodone, including its addiction and abuse.

Methadone Withdrawal - Methadone Detox Process

Detoxing from methadone is widely regarded as one of the most difficult detoxifying processes. Many users report that methadone withdrawal is even worse than heroin withdrawal. Typically, withdrawal symptoms experienced from physical dependency on a drug are the opposites of the side effects those drugs produce. For example, methadone produces side effects that include drowsiness and constipation among others. In turn, withdrawal produces insomnia and diarrhea among other things. Because methadone acts as a pain reliever, detoxing off methadone can also trigger body aches and cramps and cause pain from injuries to return.

To ease the discomfort of methadone detox, buprenorphine is used. The FDA approved Buprenorphine in 2002 to treat opiate addiction. It is a partial agonist, which means it does not produce the same euphoric sensation of full agonists like heroin, methadone, morphine and other opiates. Consequently, it is not as addictive as those drugs and can be more easily discontinued.

Buprenorphine is the active ingredient in Suboxone and Subutex. The buprenorphine methadone detox process involves both of these medications. Subutex is given for the first 12-24 hours after methadone is stopped. Then, it is switched to Suboxone, which also contains a drug to prevent improper use (injecting or overdose) called naloxone. Buprenorphine therapy is usually continued for up to 30 days, at which point drug cravings should be eliminated. The duration of the treatment can vary, however, as each patient is different. Use of buprenorphine dramatically cuts the time it takes to detox from methadone gradually, however. Without medical assistance, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) warns that withdrawal from methadone can take from 6 months to a year.

Source: http://www.csat.samhsa.gov/publications/brochure.aspx

Click here for the next part in the series, "Suboxone and Methadone." Click here to return to the first part in the series, "Introduction to Methadone."

Pat Moore Foundation's drug & alcohol detox and alcohol & drug addiction treatment programs are licensed and certified by The State of California. We provide non-medical and medically managed detoxification (using Suboxone, Subutex, and Buprenorphine when appropriate) and primary residential treatment. Our individual homes are on a unique co-ed campus where we offer gender specific treatment. We are located in Costa Mesa, in Orange County, Southern California, close to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, and only an hour's drive from Los Angeles and San Diego. To speak with a counselor, please call us 24-hours at (888) 426-6086 or if you'd like us to contact you, send a confidential message online by filling out our online form.

Note: All medical services are administered by medical professionals, which are facilitated and operated solely under the jurisdiction of a separate medical corporation.