Blog - Beach House Rehab Center
Methadone Withdrawal
December 10, 2018

How Long Does Methadone Withdrawal Last

Methadone is a long-acting, synthetic opiate that was first synthesized by German scientists in the mid-20th century. Methadone is considered a chemical derivative of morphine and was popularized over the decades due to its potent painkilling properties and easy accessibility. The methadone clinics that spread throughout American cities in the 1970s helped cement the drug’s reputation as a major player in the pharmaceutical industry and increase its popularity on the street.  Despite methadone’s Schedule 11, highly addictive status, illicit sales and distribution continue to surge.  In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), although methadone currently represents a mere two percent of US opiate painkiller prescriptions—it is responsible for approximately one-third of accidental overdose deaths.

Although methadone is successfully used as a transitional drug to treat user’s suffering from addiction to other opiates such as heroin, it has been deemed the most unpredictable and deadly of all opiates by numerous experts. Methadone’s volatile chemical composition, highly addictive nature, and “preferred drug” status in 33 states are part of a monstrous epidemic that has taken society by storm—spawning a culture of overdose, crime, disease, death, and mental illness.

THE PATHOLOGY OF WITHDRAWAL

Habitual methadone use inevitably leads to the development of tolerance for the drug and, ultimately, addiction. Like other opiates, methadone works through a chemical binding process in the central nervous system (CNS) and brain. This binding process—combined with an artificial increase in neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin—helps immediately reduce the sensation of pain and creates what many users describe as a euphoric, dreamlike state.

Over time, a user’s body and mind become desensitized to methadone’s potent effects and they require more frequent use of the drug in higher doses in order to sustain the same benefits. This vicious cycle sets the stage for a backlash effect which occurs in the form of various withdrawal symptoms that appear whenever there is a decrease or abrupt cessation in use. Methadone’s potency is such that even in cases of casual recreational use or occasional experimentation, a user can quickly progress to full-blown addiction—in which case more severe withdrawal symptoms are virtually guaranteed.

 WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS AND TIMELINE

Although not typically life-threatening—methadone withdrawal is considered extremely serious. In most cases, methadone withdrawal requires professional medical management and ongoing psychiatric evaluation.  In the early detox and withdrawal stages of methadone addiction, trained doctors and licensed clinicians work together to help determine a client’s individual treatment requirements using a variety of tools such as the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS). These tools help quantify and evaluate the severity of symptoms and provide the basis for implementing safe and effective pharmacological and therapeutic interventions. Initial methadone withdrawal symptoms may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Intense cravings
  • Disorientation
  • Insomnia
  • Chills
  • Mood swings
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Psychosis
  • Dilated pupils
  • Muscle and joint pain

Exact timelines for methadone withdrawal are difficult to establish due to the drug’s unpredictable reaction with individual biochemistry.  Methadone features a long half-life of approximately 8-60 hours, which is the primary reason why it is so beneficial to those detoxing from heroin and other opiate addictions. However, this extended effect creates an element of unpredictability and danger when it comes to the withdrawal process. 

During withdrawal, symptoms generally appear within 30 hours following dosage. In many users, initial symptoms are mild to moderate, but the intensity can quickly escalate depending upon aggravating factors such as the presence of other potent substances in the system or co-occurring mental health disorders. Methadone withdrawal is typically broken down into two distinct stages:

  • The first stage is known as the peak, or acute phase. This stage is characterized by an intense onset of symptoms that climaxes within two to three days, but may last for two to three weeks. In most cases, symptoms gradually begin improving around the 10th day of the withdrawal process.
  • The second and final stage of methadone withdrawal is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This stage is characterized by diminishing effects and a gradual return to equilibrium that may last for months and, in some cases, years.

POST ACUTE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOM

Methadone, like other illicit or legitimately prescribed opiates, can have a dramatic effect on brain health and cognitive function. Chronic use almost always results in long-term damage and may create permanent structural changes—all of which are negative. Many of these changes are reversible with early intervention and proper treatment.  The protracted symptoms of methadone withdrawal may mimic early-onset symptoms, but occur with less frequency and intensity. These long-term withdrawal symptoms frequently include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Fatigue
  • Residual cravings

TREATMENT OPTIONS

  • Inpatient treatment (and detox)—this popular methadone treatment option occurs in a medically managed, residential setting. In inpatient facilities, highly trained staff are available to provide 24/7 client care and monitoring. Inpatient programs are extremely structured and typically last for a period of one month, although some cases require a stay of up to 90 days. Inpatient treatment involves group therapy and one-on-one sessions, as well as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) geared toward physical and psychological stabilization. Although inpatient detox is a critical step to successful methadone treatment and safely navigating the withdrawal process—it is not a replacement for long-term treatment.
  • Partial hospitalization (PH)—this treatment protocol is generally considered more intense than outpatient treatment but less intense than inpatient treatment. Partial hospitalization programs are based on a highly structured regimen of group therapy and individual therapy sessions in addition to ongoing medication management. Unlike inpatient treatment, the sessions are usually scheduled five times per week, at shorter intervals, and without clients living on site.
  • Outpatient—this treatment method is an excellent option for clients transitioning from more intensive levels of care, as well as those with highly demanding personal or professional schedules. As with inpatient treatment and partial hospitalization, group therapy, as well as individual sessions, are considered the primary interventions used to treat clients. In some cases, psychiatric evaluation and medication management are part of the protocol depending upon individual client need.  

MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT

Modern pharmaceutical advancements have created a variety of highly effective methadone treatment options. In addition to whatever medications may be used to treat co-occurring mental disorders or physical health issues, the following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications are considered the nucleus of safe, effective treatment in many methadone treatment facilities:

  • Suboxone: Used early in symptom onset, this combination of buprenorphine (a partial opiate agonist) and naloxone (an opiate antagonist), is frequently used to help prevent intravenous buprenorphine abuse. Suboxone is a highly regarded medication for opiate dependence that significantly lowers the risk of precipitated withdrawal and results in optimal stabilization. Suboxone triggers the same neurological receptors as methadone and is generally well-tolerated in the majority of clients.
  • Subutex: This pure buprenorphine medication was developed around the same time as Suboxone. Subutex is considered a partial opiate agonist and is available sublingually, intravenously, and as an under-the-skin implant. It is administered early in symptom onset to reduce severity and diminish cravings and—like Suboxone—always under the close supervision of a licensed health care provider.

QUITTING “COLD TURKEY”    

Although sometimes done despite prevailing medical wisdom, quitting methadone abruptly (cold turkey) is extremely dangerous and increases the likelihood of precipitated withdrawal—the rapid acceleration and intensification of withdrawal symptoms. Quitting cold turkey does not give the methadone-dependent body sufficient time to readjust and may result in a number of harsh, debilitating symptoms. Generally speaking, quitting “cold turkey” and self-administered treatment are not recommended and should never be performed under any circumstances.  

TAKING THE FIRST STEP   

Methadone withdrawal is often a long and arduous journey that entails many challenges and includes many set-backs. Those in long-term methadone recovery can attest to the fact that withdrawal is a marathon, not a sprint, and is best approached methodically under ongoing professional guidance.  If you or someone you love is suffering from methadone addiction, call a substance abuse professional today. A wide range of treatment options are available to help and, as evidence clearly indicates, early intervention is critical to achieving optimal outcomes.

For more about methadone addiction and recovery, check out these related articles:

Sources:

Journal of Addictive Diseases. Maintenance Medication for Opiate Addiction: The Foundation of Recovery.  July, 2012.

Western Journal of Medicine. Use of methadone. Jan, 2000.

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice. Buprenorphine vs methadone treatment: A review of evidence in both developed and developing worlds.  Jan, 2012.

Journal of Addiction Medicine. Transferring Patients from Methadone to Buprenorphine : The Feasibility and Evaluation of Practice Guidelines. May, 2018.

The Journal of the European Psychiatry Association. Methadone withdrawal psychosis—case report. March, 2016.