Methadone Addiction Treatment

FALSE: Methadone does not “get into the bones” or in any other way cause harm to the skeletal system. Although some methadone patients report having aches in their arms and legs, the discomfort is probably a mild withdrawal symptom and eased by adjusting the medication level of methadone. If your medication level is incorrect or if you continue to use illegal substances in addition to methadone, your standard level may be insufficient and you could experience mild withdrawal symptoms.

FALSE: This is a consequence of a long period of time in active opioid use. Some individuals may have neglected their dental health by either avoiding their regular dental checkups or not regularly brushing their teeth twice a day. Another common issue is that many individuals consume more sugar than is recommended which would also have a negative impact on dental and physical health. Last of all, inadequate nutrition will fail to keep teeth, gums and bones healthy. When stabilized on methadone, individuals may become aware of their dental decay and other physical ailments for the first time.

FALSE: There is no scientific proof that methadone depletes calcium in the body. This can be attributed largely to poor nutrition. Calcium depletion is more commonly associated with the consumption of caffeine, which is consumed through coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, some candy bars and chocolate.

FALSE: Methadone has no adverse effects on intelligence, mental capability, or one’s ability to work. Stabilized methadone patients cannot be distinguished from non-methadone patients in terms of their ability to think, experience emotions or engage in physical activity. Study of the longer-term effects of methadone treatment on patients’ intelligence revealed that after ten years of continuous methadone treatment, standard intelligence test scores were the same or slightly higher than at onset of treatment.

FALSE: Stopping methadone use is different from kicking an opiate addiction. Although withdrawal from one does not last significantly longer than withdrawal from heroin and other opiates, methadone is NOT more addictive than opiates. Gradual withdrawal from methadone will only result in relatively mild withdrawal symptoms, and one is more likely to remain opiate-free after medically supervised withdrawal than with cold turkey withdrawal.

FALSE: The body has a natural mechanism for protection against disease, called the immune system. Methadone does not damage the immune system. Methadone is the only narcotic that does NOT damage the immune system. In fact, several studies suggest that HIV-positive patients who are taking methadone are healthier and live longer than people who are using other opiates and not being treated with methadone.

FALSE: Methadone, like most narcotic medications, is a nervous system depressant and has several side effects. These include: constipation, increased sweating, and dry mouth among others. These side effects often go away over time or with medication level adjustments and do not cause permanent damage.

FALSE: Methadone is not worse for the body than heroin or other opiates. Opiates as well as methadone are non-toxic, yet both can be dangerous if taken in excess but this is true of everything, from aspirin to food. Methadone is safer than street opiates because it is a legally prescribed medication and it is taken orally. By contrast, illegal street drugs often contain many harmful additives that are used to “cut” the drug and when taken intravenously, puts users at risk of blood transmitted diseases.

FALSE: The liver metabolizes (breaks down and processes) methadone, but methadone does not harm the liver. Methadone is actually much easier for the liver to metabolize than many other types of medications. People with hepatitis or with severe liver disease can take methadone safely.

FALSE: Methadone does not cause people to use cocaine. Many people who use cocaine started taking it before they started methadone maintenance treatment and many stop using cocaine while they are on maintenance. While methadone blocks heroin and other opiates’ withdrawal symptoms and cravings, the disease of addiction makes many people continue to use other drugs. Those who wish to stop using cocaine and other mood-altering drugs are able to do so with the help of counseling and a strong commitment to their recovery process.

FALSE: People are different, and the medication level that works for one patient is different from the medication level that works for another. The right level is a decision between patient and doctor without interference from others not involved in the patient’s treatment and care. The right level that works depends on one’s metabolism (how long one’s body takes to break down and process methadone). Most patients will need between 60 and 120 milligrams of methadone a day to stop using heroin and other opiates. A few patients will start to feel some relief from withdrawal symptoms with 5 to 10 milligrams but will need more milligrams a day in order to feel “normal.” Higher levels may be needed to block the “high” effects of other opiates and to eliminate the physical cravings for opiates.

FALSE: All people sometimes feel drowsy or tired. Patients on a stabilized dose of methadone will not feel any more drowsy or sedated than what is normal for that person. Drowsiness may occur during the initial stages of treatment and usually subsides or disappears as methadone dosage is adjusted and stabilized.