Is Methadone Treatment Better than Suboxone Treatment?

Methadone and Suboxone are two FDA-approved medications commonly used to treat opioid addiction. Both drugs are synthetic opioids with active ingredients that help addicts overcome physical dependency on opioids. But when it comes to choosing an addiction treatment, which approach works best for you: methadone treatment or Suboxone treatment?

If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin or painkiller addiction, understand that help is just one phone call away. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 800-994-1867Who Answers? to consult with a treatment specialist about your options for treatment at a drug rehab center.

How Methadone Treatment Works

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Methadone mirrors the effects of heroin and other opioids, but without offering the same feelings of euphoria and pain relief. Opioid addicts who take methadone can continue to function normally on a daily basis without experiencing intense opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. During treatment, doctors prescribe methadone in lower doses until patients are no longer using the drug and have fully overcome physical dependency on opioids.

Methadone treatment is generally administered under direct medical supervision in an outpatient setting at a methadone clinic, rehab center, or pharmacy. This is to prevent methadone from being abused or taken incorrectly, which increases the risk for an accidental overdose. Methadone is often administered in tablet or liquid form in doses tailored carefully to each individual based on their addiction levels.

How Suboxone Treatment Works

Suboxone works similarly to methadone, but contains active ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone. Naloxone is an opioid overdose antidote commonly used by first responders to revive overdose victims. In Suboxone, naloxone helps prevent patients from overdosing when abusing the medication.

Suboxone is often more costly than methadone, and offers low to medium effectiveness when used to treat those who suffer from severe opioid addictions. Suboxone can cause pain, discomfort, and withdrawal symptoms when stopping use abruptly, and is less accessible than methadone due to strict regulations in place by the DEA.

Alternatives to Methadone Treatment Centers

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are many types of treatment available. Although methadone treatment is one …

Choosing Methadone Vs. Suboxone

Methadone has been used as an opioid addiction treatment for decades, while Suboxone is a relatively new treatment. Methadone is often far more effective at treating severe addictions than Suboxone, which is more ideal for treating those with mild addictions. Since methadone is administered daily, methadone treatment offers recovering addicts the structure needed to rebuild their lives and function normally from day to day.

The effects of methadone last for 24 hours, which is why recovering addicts are required to visit methadone clinics daily to receive their doses. Many recovering addicts find that visiting methadone centers for treatment is easier than keeping track of Suboxone prescriptions and refills, since Suboxone can be used at home. Methadone clinics also offer counseling and therapy services that can benefit patients who struggle with overcoming the underlying causes of addiction.

Methadone treatment and Suboxone treatment can both effective at treating opioid addiction, which is why you should consult with an experienced addiction specialist about your options. If you are struggling with opioid addiction and need help, call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 800-994-1867Who Answers? to learn more about drug rehab centers and methadone clinics that offer methadone treatment.