What Does It Feel Like to Be on Methadone Maintenance?

Being on methadone maintenance is much safer for many individuals than medically assisted detox or especially attempting to go off the drug cold turkey. While you may be concerned about the idea of going on maintenance treatment, it feels very much like living a normal life without the issues caused by opioid addiction.

Call 800-994-1867Who Answers? to find safe, reliable rehab programs that utilize methadone along with other options approved for the treatment of opioid abuse and addiction.

MMT ≠ Opioid Abuse

Contrary to what many people believe, going on regulated methadone maintenance treatment (or MMT) is not the same as abusing opioids. When you take methadone regularly, as prescribed, and without deviating from your specific dosage, it is not a substitute for drug abuse but rather a treatment that allows you to master your addiction and recover as safely as possible.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methadone “has a slow onset and long duration of action when taken orally as directed.”

This means it will not cause the euphoric or sedative effects caused when other prescription or illicit painkillers are abused, and it is safe to drive a car and participate in other daily activities while on the medication. In fact, you will feel much like yourself again with one key difference.

Methadone Reduces Opioid Abuse’s Effects

MMT reduces withdrawal symptoms so you can start to feel normal again.

By taking methadone medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, you will begin to see a reduction in the issues associated with abusing and quitting opioids. These will include:

• Withdrawal symptoms
• Cravings
• Apathy toward other activities that used to matter to you
• Relationship problems
• Legal, financial, and professional issues
• Feelings of unhappiness or depression

As stated by the National Institute of Justice, “Methadone works by” occupying the opioid receptors in the brain that are dependent on these drugs without creating euphoria, therefore reducing “the need and desire for users to seek and abuse opioids.”

Your desire for painkillers will no longer control you to the extent it once did because these receptors are already occupied, making it easier for you to avoid problematic actions, drug-seeking behavior, and relapse.

What Does MMT Feel Like?

Unlike abusing opioids, being on MMT can allow you to think and act in a much more beneficial way as well as to be able to participate in any activities you like. You may experience a few of the side effects associated with the medication, such as:

• Weakness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Mood changes
• Sleep problems

What Should I Ask My Doctor Before Going on Methadone?

When you are trying to decide whether or not to start methadone maintenance, it is important to discuss the option …

Still, it feels much more stable to be on methadone maintenance, especially if you have a severe dependence on opioids for which you require this treatment. MMT is one of the most highly regulated programs in the country to ensure that everyone who takes it does so safely and does not experience severe side effects or misuse the drug.

When you are on MMT, you will begin to feel like you can fight your addiction to opioids more easily and make a true difference in your life.

Call to Find Methadone Maintenance Treatment

We can help you find the right program for your needs, including one that offers the level of care, the type of treatment options, and the financial plan you require. Call 800-994-1867Who Answers? now.