Methadone Withdrawal

Methadone withdrawal symptoms

One of the tragic ironies of methadone withdrawal is that it mirrors the symptoms of other opioids. It offers a limited and controlled supply of opioids to help patients gradually wean themselves off, so patients very often wind up experiencing the same kinds of effects. It’s little surprise that they wind up feeling the same withdrawal symptoms. While each user’s methadone withdrawal will vary according to the scope and severity of their use, some of the more common include joint and muscle pain, headaches, flu-like symptoms, excessive sweating, stomach issues (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea), fatigue, anxiety, depression, hallucinations and more. If you or a loved one are experiencing these or any other type of methadone withdrawal symptoms, talk to your doctor or treatment professional about methadone withdrawal treatment.

Methadone withdrawal timeline

One of the most common questions about the methadone detox process is “How long does methadone withdrawal last?” The timeline for withdrawal occurs in three stages (early, acute and protracted). By the time a patient actually finds themselves in need of methadone, they’re usually already sensitive to opioids and can start experiencing symptoms in as little a few hours after the last cycle of drug use. Early withdrawal yields less severe symptoms and can last a day or two. Patients experience the worst withdrawal symptoms during the acute stages of withdrawal. This is often when patients wind up relapsing. Once acute withdrawal is over, and symptoms have reached their peak, they start to taper but can still linger. One of the more challenging elements of treating methadone is considering patients’ different opioid abuse issues and substance abuse history.

Methadone withdrawal treatment

Methadone withdrawal treatment is a complex and delicate medical procedure that requires the help of an experienced and qualified doctor. Professional methadone detox can help patients get clean in a safe, sterile, compassionate and supportive environment. Patients who endeavor to detox from methadone on their own very often wind up succumbing to withdrawal symptoms or, even worse, turning back to their original opioid habit. Over the years, drugs like buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone (Vivitrol) have been introduced as an alternative to methadone, but the drug is still commonly used.