Methadone for Drug Addiction Treatment
Medications for substance use disorder treatment may help people reach and maintain sobriety from substances like opioids, especially when used as part of a comprehensive addiction recovery plan.1 FDA-approved medications like methadone can provide various benefits in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Read on to learn about how methadone is used for addiction treatment and how to find a methadone program or other forms of evidence-based treatment near you.
What Is Methadone?
Methadone is an FDA-approved addiction treatment medication that has been shown to be safe and effective for treating opioid use disorder.1 Among the medications available to treat OUD, methadone has the longest history of use and has treated more individuals worldwide than any other option.2
Methadone is a long-acting, synthetic opioid agonist. This type of medication works by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain, activating them slowly and steadily over an extended period, helping to ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings for opioids, and block the effects of other opioids during treatment.2,3
The medication comes in various forms, including liquid concentrate (the most widely used in opioid treatment programs), as well as powders, dispersible tablets, and regular tablets.2
Methadone brand names include Dolophine or Methadose, but it is also sold as a generic medication.4 It’s important to note that methadone can only be provided in licensed methadone clinics or opioid treatment programs (OTPs).1
What Is Methadone Used For?
Methadone use can be a part of a complete treatment program. It can be prescribed during both the detoxification, or withdrawal, phase and the maintenance phase of opioid addiction treatment.6
In these treatment phases, methadone use serves several key purposes:1,2
- Minimizing or eliminating opioid withdrawal symptoms.
- Reducing or eliminating cravings for opioids.
- Reducing or blocking the effects of illicit opioids .
- Maintenance to help people sustain recovery from opioid addiction.
At the beginning phase of methadone for addiction treatment, people usually take methadone once daily onsite at an OTP.1 Once they have been in treatment for awhile, some people may be allowed to take up to 28 doses home for self-administration.1 Take-home doses of methadone must be stored securely and out of reach of children and others. Accidental ingestion by someone else, especially a child, can be fatal.
If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately. Your doctor may also discuss prescribing naloxone, a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, for you or your household to have on hand as a safety measure.
People who are interested in methadone treatment for addiction should know that they can take methadone for as long as it works for their needs.2 Medications like methadone offer safe ways to help people maintain sobriety long enough so that they can implement needed life changes, address other problems that impact their lives and recovery, and work on developing their relapse prevention skills.2
Combining methadone with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants dramatically increases the risk of severe sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and fatal overdose. Alcohol, benzodiazepines, other opioids, and sedatives and sleep aids can all dangerously interact with methadone.2
How Effective Is Methadone?
Methadone has a very long history of use in the treatment of opioid use disorders. It has been shown to be an effective way to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.2,3
Of all of the medications for OUD, it has the longest track record, spanning almost 50 years.2
Participating in a medically supervised detox program that includes medications like methadone can help individuals achieve medical stability and transition smoothly into the maintenance phase of treatment.2,3
Research shows that methadone can be very effective for treating OUD, especially when implemented as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and behavioral therapies that address underlying issues and teach necessary recovery skills.2
During the maintenance phase, methadone plays a key role in reducing cravings, supporting sustained recovery and sobriety. Even without consistent counseling, methadone treatment alone has been shown to greatly enhance patient outcomes.6
Methadone Programs in Rhode Island
Methadone treatment is generally implemented as a part of a complete, individualized treatment program that involves counseling and behavioral therapies.7 These therapies help people examine and change ingrained behaviors that contribute to substance use and other associated life problems.
Using medications for OUD alongside these interventions can increase a person’s chances of recovery success.7 And our AdCare Rhode Island facility offers an enhanced methadone MAT program that may offer the care you are looking for.
In addition to methadone programs, inpatient drug rehab in Rhode Island can take place on various levels of care, including:8
If you’re struggling or you know someone who is, and are wondering how to find a methadone program near me, we are here to help you start the path to recovery. There is always hope, and people can and do enter lasting recovery from OUD.
Please call our free and confidential helpline at to speak to a knowledgeable and caring admissions navigator about your treatment options. We can help you learn about the rehab admissions process, what to expect in inpatient addiction treatment, insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and ways to pay for rehab.