Methadone Addiction & Opioid Treatment | Methadone In Ohio

Methadone is an opioid agonist that can treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. Along with buprenorphine, methadone is an approved form of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), a treatment option that can make a patient’s opioid addiction recovery process more manageable.

Studies suggest that methadone can be safe when taken as prescribed. However, there is still a risk of side effects when taking methadone, such as constipation, nausea, and breathing problems.

In Ohio, methadone may be available from licensed opioid addiction treatment programs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, only allows approved pharmacies, methadone clinics, and healthcare providers to legally give methadone to patients.

Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Methadone may be prescribed to manage opioid dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and cravings. This form of medication-assisted treatment is also known as methadone maintenance treatment.

Methadone treatment providers substitute high-risk opioids, such as heroin or fentanyl, with methadone. Methadone acts on the same receptors in the central nervous system as other opioids, such as hydrocodone and heroin. 

Substituting methadone for other opioids can reduce withdrawal symptoms that can come from opioid discontinuation.

The effects of one dose of methadone can last for longer than one dose of other opioid painkillers, such as heroin or oxycodone. Patients may also experience moderate pain relief while taking methadone, which may be necessary to manage their severe or chronic pain.

Abuse Potential Of Methadone

Although methadone can be safe when taken as directed, methadone abuse is possible due to the drug’s sedative and euphoric effects. Methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, and organizations recognize its abuse potential outside of approved treatment plans.

Patients going through an opiate addiction treatment program may already be at risk for further substance abuse. To reduce the chances of methadone addiction, patients undergoing opioid use disorder treatment may take their doses in a supervised environment.

Methadone Overdose

A methadone overdose can occur in people who abuse methadone. Monitored use of methadone during opioid treatment programs can end a long-term cycle of drug addiction and abuse.

Side Effects Of Methadone

Like other opioid drugs, methadone can cause side effects such as:

• nausea
• drowsiness
• constipation
• sweating
• chest pain
• shallow breathing
• respiratory depression

Monitored, controlled use of methadone can reduce the risk of serious side effects. If patients experience serious adverse effects while taking methadone, their dose may be reduced or adjusted as needed.

When combined with other methods, methadone maintenance treatment can reduce patterns of opioid abuse and improve your long-term health. To find out if our opioid addiction treatment program works for you and your loved one, please contact Ohio Recovery Center today.

FAQ

How Long Does Methadone Withdrawal Last?

Methadone withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as 24 hours after the last use and last for 6 weeks or longer.

Learn more about Methadone Withdrawal

How Long Does Methadone Stay In Your System?

Methadone is a long-acting opioid that can be detectable in saliva and urine tests for up to 10 or 12 days after ingestion. 

The effects of a single dose of methadone last for around six hours, and it can take around two weeks (or longer) for the drug to be fully eliminated from an individual’s body.

Learn more about How Long Methadone Stays In Your System

What Does Methadone Look Like?

Methadone is offered in various dosages such as 5 mg and 10 mg pills that are round in shape, white in color, and contain various imprints. The 40 mg methadone pill is pink in color and can be divided into smaller doses due to the indentions of the pill.

Learn more about What Methadone Looks Like

How Much Does Methadone Cost?

Methadone costs $0.15 to $0.50 per milligram on the street. In some places, it costs $1 per mg. That’s $1.50 to $5 for a 10 mg pill—or $10 on the high end.

At registered pharmacies in Ohio, methadone prices are:

• $35 for 40 tablets of 10 mg brand-name methadone (Dolophine)
• $30 for $40 for 60 tablets of 10 mg generic methadone
• $89 for 500 mL of generic methadone oral solution (5 mg/mL)

Insurance and prescription discount programs may completely cover the cost or reduce it by more than half. 

Learn more about Methadone Street Value & Prescription Cost

What Is Methadone Called On The Street?

Street names for methadone may include fizzies, amidone, chocolate chip cookies, tootsie roll, dolls, done, metho, mud, juice, wafer, maria, and others.

Learn more about Methadone Street Names

Does Methadone Affect Sexual Function?

Yes. Methadone affects the part of the brain that releases sex hormones. This effect lowers testosterone levels and raises prolactin levels in both men and women.

Methadone’s effect on sexual function can lead to:

• lower sexual desire
• erectile dysfunction (inability to get or keep an erection)
• delayed ejaculation (in men)
• difficulty coming to orgasm
• less personal lubrication (in women)

Learn more about The Effects Of Methadone On Sex & Intimacy

Can You Snort Methadone?

No, you cannot snort methadone legally. Snorting methadone to get high is a form of illegal drug use with a high risk of serious side effects.

Learn more about Snorting Methadone

Can Methadone Injections Be Abused?

Yes, methadone injections can be abused in Ohio. In fact, intravenous methadone is not an approved use of methadone in the state of Ohio. 

Illegally injecting methadone can cause severe central nervous system depression, an increased risk of drug addiction, and an increased risk of overdose.

Learn more about Methadone Injection In Ohio

Can You Smoke Methadone?

Available as a tablet, methadone can be crushed and smoked. However, this can create serious health problems and lead to a potential overdose.

Learn more about Smoking Methadone

Can You Use Methadone Rectally?

No, you cannot safely use methadone rectally as a legal administration of methadone. Rectal use of methadone is a form of drug abuse with serious health risks.

Learn more about Rectal Methadone Use