Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Methadone is a medication that helps people stop using opioids like fentanyl, heroin or pain pills. It has been used for many years and is one of the most trusted treatments for opioid addiction.

Many people are not using opioids to get high anymore. They are using it just to avoid feeling sick. Methadone helps stop that cycle so people can feel normal again and start getting their lives back.

Methadone treatment is provided in a medical setting called an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), where patients receive care, support and guidance.

How Methadone Works

Methadone works by helping your body feel steady. It fills the same need in your body that other opioids were filling, but in a longer-lasting way. Instead of going up and down all day — feeling okay, then sick, then okay again — methadone helps you feel more even and stable. Because it lasts a long time, you only need to take it once a day (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2023).

Methadone has been shown to:

• Stop withdrawal
• Lower cravings
• Help you feel “normal” again

Fentanyl is very strong and wears off quickly. This means people can go into withdrawal fast and may need to use many times a day. Methadone lasts much longer. This is important because it means methadone can help to prevent repeated withdrawal, reduce the need to keep using, and give your body a break.  This is why many people who use fentanyl do well on methadone. 

What Starting Methadone Treatment Feels Like

Starting methadone is a step-by-step process. You’ll start with an intake process.  During this process, the goal is to determine how to best meet your needs and get you comfortable as quickly as possible. You’ll meet with someone to perform an intake assessment where you will answer questions about your history. Then you’ll meet with a provider to help you get started on a safe dose.  

In the first few days or weeks, many people notice:

• They are not getting sick as often
• Cravings are easier to handle
• Sleep starts to improve
• They can think more clearly

It may take a little time to find the right dose, especially for people using fentanyl, but most people start feeling better quickly.

When your body is not in withdrawal, everything gets easier.  People often begin to get back into a routine, show up for work or family, feel more stable emotionally and take care of their health. Methadone gives you the chance to focus on your life — not just on avoiding being sick. 

Methadone and Overdose Risk

Methadone lowers the risk of overdose. When people are not using street opioids as often, they are less likely to be exposed to fentanyl or other dangerous substances (National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], 2023). It is still important to take methadone exactly as prescribed and avoid mixing it with alcohol or other drugs.

Clearing up common concerns

Some people worry that methadone is just another drug. But methadone is a medication given in a safe, controlled way. It does not cause the same ups and downs as street drugs. Instead, it helps your body settle down so you can start to heal. 

What Foundations Health OTPs Provide

At Foundations Health, we provide:

• Safe methadone dosing
• Medical support and referrals 
• Psychiatric services
• Counseling and mental health care
• Peer support services
• Help with day-to-day needs
• Long-term recovery support

We treat you with respect and meet you where you are. We accept walk-ins and can often do same day dosing to get you started. Our programs will help you with payment options and arranging transportation. You do not have to stay stuck in withdrawal. Methadone can help you feel better, think clearly, and take the next step forward.