Many people do not understand what is methadone and in what cases to take this drug. Methadone is a synthetic opioid, and is used with medical supervision as an analgesic for the treatment of opioid dependence or severe conditions causing pain. Methadone was developed in Germany in 1937. Despite its artificial origin, methadone acts on the opioid receptors just as morphine and heroin does, and thus it produces many of the same consequences.

Methadone has a cross-tolerance with other opioids, including heroin and morphine. Oral doses of methadone can stabilize patients with opioid dependence and reduce the withdrawal symptoms. Higher doses of methadone can block the effects of euphoria in the use of heroin, morphine and similar drugs. As a result, the correct dosage helps to reduce or eliminate the use of these substances.

Methadone is not intended for treatment of cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol or nicotine dependence. Methadone would have no treatment effect on these drugs, as they are not opiates.

The results of early large-scale studies have shown that methadone could effectively interrupt illicit opioid use and reduce the associated costs to society. These findings were confirmed in later studies and supported by current knowledge of psychological, social and pharmacological mechanisms of illicit opium addiction. As a result, many countries in the world use Methadone as a harm reduction treatment.

What are the dangers of methadone tolerance and dependence?

As with the use of other opioids, tolerance and dependence usually develops with repeated doses. There is some clinical evidence that the tolerance that develops to methadone is much weaker than other opioids. However, a person who takes Methadone has to be very careful to take their dose as prescribed. Missing a few doses will result in a decrease in tolerance and therefore, taking the same high-tolerance dose could result in dangerous effects. If a person with little or no tolerance, or even reduced tolerance, takes Methadone, overdose is likely and death can even occur.  A person experiencing the painful effects of withdrawal has to be very careful to consider their level of tolerance before taking a dose that may be more than their body can handle.

Symptoms of Methadone Withdrawal

The physical symptoms of methadone withdrawal can include dizziness, runny nose, sneezing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe itching, fever, sweating, chills, tremor, akathisia, tachycardia, pain in the joints and bones, increased pain sensitivity, high blood pressure, the slowing down of breathing, etc…

Psychological and cognitive symptoms of methadone withdrawal can include: suicidal thoughts, depression, insomnia and long, delusions, auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, increased sense of smell, a significant decrease in sex drive, anxiety, panic, paranoia, etc… Everyone’s reaction can vary.

This is why it is extremely important to consult with a medical expert and addiction’s treatment adviser before addressing any tolerance, dependency and withdrawal issues arising from Methadone use.

So, now you have more answers to the question “what is methadone”, including withdrawal symptoms and issues such as dependency and tolerance. This site will continue to explore these matters in more details soon.