Methadone and Suboxone are both FDA-approved drugs used along with behavioral therapy to treat opioid addiction in medication-assisted treatment programs. They work by taking the edge off of difficult withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Patients are then able to better focus on behavioral health therapies and counseling. Both drugs have been proven safe and effective as first-line treatments for addiction. They both work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. Methadone is a stand-alone drug, while Suboxone combines buprenorphine with naloxone. They are equally effective in a medication-assisted treatment program.
Opioids such as fentanyl, oxycodone, and heroin flood the brain with the neurotransmitter dopamine, delivering euphoria, followed by a craving for more. It’s the recipe for addiction. Because of diminishing returns, a person winds up needing to take increasingly larger doses just to feel normal. Drug cravings turn into an insatiable appetite, impairing function and causing erratic, destructive conduct. Anxiety, despair, and a variety of physically excruciating withdrawal symptoms, including exhaustion, cramping in the muscles, nausea, and night sweats, are brought on by the absence of the substance.
Suboxone for Treatment of Addiction
Methadone is a synthetic opioid on par with morphine and heroin. Buprenorphine targets the same opioid receptors in the brain as methadone, satisfying cravings without producing a high. Suboxone is the brand name for the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN. The addition of naloxone makes it nearly impossible to get high on Suboxone, greatly reducing the risk of anyone getting addicted to it.
Suboxone is dispensed as a sublingual, a film that dissolves under the tongue. Doses are given based on various stages of recovery and withdrawal. At the first sign of withdrawal symptoms, the initial dose is administered in divided doses. Depending on whether the patient had been taking long-acting or short-acting opioids, a patient may be given maintenance doses.
Methadone Addiction Treatment
Methadone is a synthetic opioid that has been around for more than 50 years. It is the most widely-used medication in drug addiction treatment programs. When used as part of a comprehensive Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) recovery program, it is a safe and effective medication for treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Chemically speaking, it is a long-acting opioid agonist, which helps patients focus on behavioral health therapy and counseling by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It is most frequently administered as Methadose, a liquid concentrate, in addiction outpatient settings. After a stable period of progress and compliance, clients may be able to take the medicine at home between clinical visits. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can safely take prescription methadone but should include prenatal care as part of their maintenance program.
Hope and Support for People Struggling with Opioid Addiction
We are passionate about our mission to help our clients reclaim their lives. Our state-of-the-art treatment facilities offer inspiration, support, and guidance to those who struggle with opioid addiction in Orlando, Marianna, Palm Beach, Kissimmee, New Port Richey, Crestview, Tampa, and Clearwater. We offer affordable medication dispensed on-site with no waiting. Ask about reimbursed transfer fees and waived intake fees. Our understanding and compassionate staff provide experienced, friendly guidance along with medication proven to be effective in treating Opioid Use Disorder.
Call 407-783-6273 today if you or a loved one are ready for a fresh start.
