Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatment for Methadone, Explored
Methadone, a long-acting opioid, is commonly used to treat opioid dependence. However, cessation or reduction of its use can lead to withdrawal, a process that shares similarities with other opioid withdrawals but can last longer due to methadone's extended half-life.
Causes of Methadone Withdrawal
Methadone withdrawal usually occurs when a person abruptly stops or significantly reduces methadone intake after prolonged use. Methadone, used in the treatment of opioid dependence, can cause physical dependence, and stopping it disrupts the body's adapted state.
Symptoms of Methadone Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms are akin to those of other opioids and include anxiety, restlessness, muscle aches, sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, goosebumps, dilated pupils, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure. Early symptoms also include excessive yawning, runny nose, and watery eyes. Symptoms may feel like a severe flu combined with intense physical and psychological distress.
Stages of Methadone Withdrawal
While exact staging is less often detailed for methadone specifically, opioid withdrawal stages generally apply:
- Early Stage (6-12 hours after last dose): Anxiety, restlessness, mild flu-like symptoms begin. However, because methadone is long-acting, initial withdrawal symptoms may onset later, often 24-48 hours after the last dose.
- Peak Stage (2-3 days post cessation): Symptoms intensify, with severe muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intense drug cravings. Methadone withdrawal symptoms peak more slowly and last longer than short-acting opioids due to its pharmacology.
- Post-Acute Withdrawal: Some symptoms may persist for weeks to months (e.g., mood disturbances, cravings).
Treatment of Methadone Withdrawal
Treatment focuses on medical detoxification and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Medications used include methadone (controlled tapering to reduce withdrawal severity), buprenorphine (to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms), clonidine or lofexidine (to alleviate anxiety, agitation, muscle aches, and sweating), and behavioural therapies to address psychological dependence.
Medical detox in a supervised healthcare setting is recommended to manage withdrawal safely and reduce relapse risk. Longer methadone treatment can increase the length of time that someone is in recovery and may reduce long-lasting withdrawal symptoms.
In summary, methadone withdrawal is a medically complex process with flu-like physical symptoms and psychological distress that evolves over several days to weeks. Effective management requires a combination of medication-assisted treatment and behavioural support under professional care.
Health-and-wellness professionals studying methadone withdrawal may find similarities in the addiction cycle and withdrawal symptoms with other opioids. Mental-health experts should also be aware that methadone, used in treating opioid dependence, can lead to both physical and psychological dependence, necessitating careful treatment and tapering strategies to ensure a successful health-and-wellness recovery.
