Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Medications for addiction treatment, such as methadone for opioid addiction, can help people begin and stay on the path to recovery from opioid addiction.1 If you or someone you love is struggling, learning about treatment options—including methadone treatment—can be a powerful first step. Keep reading to see how methadone for addiction treatment can support lasting recovery and help you find the care that fits your needs.
What Is Methadone?
Methadone is one of the FDA-approved addiction treatment medications to treat people with opioid use disorder (OUD).1
How does methadone work? Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that activates the same opioid receptors in the brain as other opioids. By doing this in a controlled, slow-acting way, methadone can:
- Relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms.
- Reduce cravings.
- Block the effects of other opioids.
This stabilizing effect makes it an effective treatment for those working toward recovery.1-3
It is available in liquid, powder, and tablet formulations, and is sold under brand names such as Dolophine and Methadose, as well as in generic form.1
Methadone can only be dispensed through federally certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs).1
How is Methadone Used in Treatment?
Methadone can be prescribed during the two main phases of opioid use disorder treatment.1
It displaces other opioids and blocks their effects, reverses opioid withdrawal symptoms, and reduces cravings, which may help people through withdrawal and also assist them with maintaining long-term sobriety.2,3
Methadone for Opioid Withdrawal (Detox)
During detox, methadone is used to suppress and minimize withdrawal symptoms. Opioid withdrawal can be intensely uncomfortable and distressing, and while not usually life-threatening on its own, it can lead to medical complications and a return to opioid use.3
When used for detox, methadone helps manage these symptoms in a safe, controlled environment.1
Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder Maintenance Treatment
For long-term recovery, methadone can be prescribed as a maintenance medication. This helps manage post-acute withdrawal symptoms and cravings, which can persist for months.
By blocking the effects of other opioids, it also reduces the incentive to use them, helping people sustain their recovery long-term.2
Methadone for Opioid Addiction
When a person takes methadone as prescribed for a sufficient duration, it has a stabilizing effect that can help them focus on their recovery.3
Opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms are difficult to withstand and are a primary driver of relapse.5 Research shows that without the support of medication, many people who complete detox will return to opioid use, often within the first month.5
Long-term methadone maintenance helps suppress these factors, giving individuals a better chance at lasting recovery.5
People who may be eligible for methadone treatment include those who are 18 and older and meet the following criteria:1
- Meet diagnostic criteria for OUD.
- Have a history of at least 1 year of opioid addiction before admission.
- Provide voluntary, written informed consent.
It is important to note that while a one-year history of opioid addiction was previously a requirement for admission, federal regulations were updated in 2024 to remove this barrier, making treatment more accessible.
Methadone should be used as a part of a comprehensive OUD treatment program that also includes counseling and behavioral therapies.6 Medication helps manage the physical and neurological aspects of addiction while therapy is necessary to develop coping skills and address the behavioral and psychological issues that underlie addiction.7
How Long Does Methadone Treatment Last?
The duration of methadone treatment is personalized and lasts for as long as a person benefits from it.1
Some people may use it for a short period to manage withdrawal, while many others use it for months or years as a maintenance medication to remain stable and prevent relapse.1
Addiction causes persistent brain changes that can continue long after a person stops using illicit opioids. These changes explain why relapse is common, even for those who have carefully tapered off medications like methadone.1
By continuing medication, people have the time they need to make necessary life changes–such as building a support system and developing healthy coping mechanisms–that are associated with long-term abstinence.1
Side Effects of Methadone
Like any medication, methadone has potential side effects. The most common methadone side effects include:1
- Nausea and constipation.
- Sweating.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Drowsiness.
While side effects are possible, methadone is considered a safe and effective medication for OUD when taken as directed under medical supervision.1
Methadone can interact with other medications, including some antibiotics, anticonvulsants and antidepressants.1
It’s dangerous to combine methadone with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, as this increases the risk of overdose.1
If you use other medications or substances, you should inform your physician before starting methadone.1
Does Insurance Cover Methadone?
Your insurance may partially or fully cover methadone treatment.8 However, since different insurance providers offer different coverage options, your specific benefits may vary.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), mental health and substance use disorder treatment are considered to be essential health benefits for most private insurance plans.8 This means you may have coverage for methadone or other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), in addition to comprehensive addiction treatment services.8
It’s advisable to confirm your exact coverage with your insurance company or see our online guide for more information on using insurance to pay for rehab.
If you’d like to check your insurance coverage for rehab online, simply complete our now.
Opioid Addiction Treatment in Texas
If you or a loved one is struggling with OUD, help is available. There are different ways to treat addiction, and seeking treatment for opioid addiction can be an important and potentially life-saving step toward recovery.
Greenhouse Treatment Center, a Dallas/Fort Worth inpatient drug & alcohol rehab offers expert, evidence-based rehab on all levels of care, including medical detox and outpatient care at our Arlington, Texas outpatient rehab.
Please call us at to speak with a knowledgeable admissions navigator about your treatment options, learn about insurance that covers rehab and other ways to cover the cost of treatment, and get admitted today.