Methadone is medication used to treat opioid use disorder. However, methadone itself can be addictive, so it’s important to use this medication exactly as directed.
Methadone hydrochloride, also known simply as methadone, is a medication often used to treat opioid use disorder. However, because methadone is also an opioid drug, it carries similar risks of addiction, abuse and dependence. The following provides an overview of how methadone works, why it’s addictive and the health concerns it can create.
What Is Methadone Hydrochloride?
Methadone hydrochloride is a synthetic opioid that acts similarly tomorphine. Methadoneis availablein several forms, including tablets, dissolving tablets and a liquid formulation. Because it is acontrolled substance, methadone is available only by prescription.
Methadoneis often used as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for people addicted to opioid pain relievers or heroin. It canalso treatsevere pain because it changes how the brain and central nervous system respond to pain, providing a sense of relief.
Although methadone itself is an opioid, it can effectively treatopioid dependence and addiction. This is possible because methadone has slower effects andblocks the highof other opioids, such ascodeine,heroinandoxycodone.
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Methadone can help preventwithdrawal symptomsin people undergoing opioid addiction treatment. Experts recommend that methadone should be prescribed forat least a yearwhen treating opioid addiction. When someone is prescribed methadone foropioid addiction treatment, they will usually take a daily dose. The dose amount can vary widely based on a person’s opioid tolerance and history of use. Methadone should only be used under medical supervision and direction.
What Does Methadone Hydrochloride Look Like?
Methadone hydrochloride is available in different formulations that vary in appearance:
- Tablet and dispersible (disintegrating) tablet:Depending on the manufacturer, the methadone oral tablet can have several different appearances. In general, it is white and round/oblong with an imprint on one or both sides. Although some methadone tablets are scored with a line, not all of them are.
- Oral liquid: The methadone oral liquid can beclear or redin color. The red formulation, which is cherry flavored, can also smell like its cherry flavoring.
Is Methadone Hydrochloride Addictive?
Whether it’s prescribed to treat pain oropioid addiction, methadone can be misused. For this reason, it comes with a warning about its addictive nature. It’s also aSchedule IIdrug in the U.S., meaning it is classified as a controlled substance that has a high potential for severe psychological and physical addiction.
Methadone is addictive because it acts on the brain and central nervous system like other opioids.Effectslike euphoria are milder because of methadone’s slow onset, but they are still present. Methadone still binds to opioid receptors in the brain and can cause euphoria, changes in mood, relaxation and drowsiness. These are all effects patients might find desirable.
The long-term goal of methadone use is to help people stop using opioids, but sometimes, they end up simply replacing one opioid with another. Despite this,experts agreethat the benefits of methadone addiction treatment generally outweigh the risks.
If you or someone you love is struggling with methadone addiction, or if you believe methadone may help treat your opioid use disorder, The Recovery Village is here to help.Contact ustoday to learn about individualized treatment programs that can help you make real, long-term changes in your life.
