Quitting methadone is a challenging process alone. Dealing with any addictive substance can leave you with withdrawal symptoms and a lack of support. The best way to quit methadone is with health care professionals. When you reach out to an experienced program, you’ll receive personalized treatment plans and science-backed methods. With the right help, you can successfully overcome addiction and transform your life.
The opioid epidemic resulted in 81,083 deaths in 2023 alone. Opioids are an addictive group of painkilling drugs that are often prescribed to treat acute pain. Opioid addiction can develop through misuse or long-term use. If you’re wondering how to quit methadone, we can help.
Diamond House Detox is dedicated to helping individuals along the path to recovery. Call us at (888) 205-9455 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — to learn more about how to get off methadone.
Methadone is a synthetic agonist, which means it helps decrease the cravings associated with the detox process. This drug also blocks the effects of opioids. Methadone is commonly used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is a comprehensive treatment approach that combines medication with counseling and therapy to treat substance use disorders.
Clients will typically undergo methadone treatment with doctor supervision. The medication can come in different forms, including a powder, liquid or diskette. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) involves taking the medication daily to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The duration of methadone treatment varies from person to person. Some people may need to see their care team in person to take their methadone, while others may be able to take doses at home.
How Does Someone Become Addicted to Methadone?
This medication is used to help treat addiction, but is methadone addictive? Methadone is still an opioid, which means it is addictive, and there is potential for misuse. Methadone is usually prescribed to help ease the withdrawal symptoms of other substances, including heroin and painkillers. Even people who are legally prescribed methadone can experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using it. These, in turn, can lead to addiction.
When administered by a doctor, a methadone treatment plan will include steps for safely tapering off the medication. Once someone begins misusing methadone, addiction can quickly become possible. Taking more methadone than prescribed and seeking prescriptions from multiple sources are both forms of misuse that can lead to addiction.
If you have a methadone addiction, you should never attempt to quit on your own. A medically supervised detoxification program is an essential first step to breaking free from the drug’s grip. The team at Diamond House Detox provides a comfortable facility where those struggling with methadone addiction can allow the drug to work its way out of your body’s system in a safe environment.
Knowing methadone addiction symptoms can help you or your loved one restore quality of life. Like other opioids, behavioral changes are a key sign of methadone dependency. If you notice any of the following symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s time to ask for help:
Increased tolerance: If a methadone user develops a tolerance, they may start taking higher dosages to get the same effects as before. This is usually the first sign of an addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms: Individuals misusing methadone experience unpleasant opioid withdrawal symptoms like depression or insomnia if they go too long without taking the drug.
Prioritizing methadone: Your loved one continually chooses methadone over responsibilities such as work or family gatherings.
Detoxing From Methadone: An Individualized Treatment Plan
If you are recovering from methadone addiction, undergoing an individualized treatment plan is essential. Our team at Diamond House Detox works with you to create a personalized treatment plan that includes personal goal-setting and post-treatment abstinence. It’s essential to identify any underlying causes of substance use. What are the triggers or stressors that encourage use in the first place?
Our goal is to address the medical, mental, psychological and spiritual needs of our clients through dual-diagnosis treatments. Dual diagnosis treatment is an integrated approach that seeks to address an individual’s co-occurring substance use disorder as well as any underlying mental health issues they may have. The initial goal of dual-diagnosis treatment is to address any underlying mental health issue. It’s almost impossible to be treated for a drug and alcohol addiction if you are not in control of the mental health issues that may have contributed to the addiction.
While we create an individualized treatment plan for our clients, the larger detox process generally follows these steps:
1. Eliminate Access to Substances
Starting your detox means removing methadone and other harmful substances from your home. Creating a substance-free environment helps reduce the temptation to use. Make sure to properly dispose of medications, drug paraphernalia and items that may act as triggers during the process. Cleaning your space clears your mind and sets you up for success.
2. Consult With Experts
Always talk to a health care provider before your detox process. Methadone withdrawal can lead to serious side effects if done improperly. Your doctor or detox program provider can assess your current dosage, health and personal history. They’ll create a custom detox plan that meets your needs. Professionals might suggest a tapering schedule or other medications to make the process easier.
3. Set Up a Tapering Schedule
Tapering lets you gradually reduce your methadone doses over time. This process helps your body adjust to lower levels of the drug, making withdrawal more manageable. Your doctor will work with you to create the right tapering plan for your needs. Tapering might look like a reduction of a few milligrams per week or a slower approach. It’s essential to be patient during tapering. Tapering too quickly can lead to more severe withdrawal symptoms.
4. Prepare for Withdrawal Symptoms
Even with a tapering schedule, you might experience withdrawal symptoms. These can range from mild to intense, depending on the person. Talk to your doctor about these side effects so you can be prepared. Make sure you stay hydrated, eat balanced meals and practice relaxation techniques. With careful preparation, you and your doctor can make the process as easy as possible on your body.
5. Get Outpatient Support
Difficult processes are always easier with good support. Contact an experienced facility like Diamond House Detox for professional support during your detox. We’ll provide you with the resources and guidance needed during this time. Outpatient programs let you detox while continuing your daily life. You’ll get access to regular check-ins, counseling and medication-assisted treatment if needed. The staff at our facility will monitor your progress and can help you through any challenges that arise.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help — detoxing from methadone is not something you have to do alone.
6. Build a Strong Support Network
Having a strong support network can make all the difference. Building a network of family, friends and health care professionals who understand what you’re going through is invaluable. Your network can offer resources and encouragement during your detox and beyond.
You could also join in-person or online support groups. These groups provide a safe space to share your experiences. You’ll get to hear from others going through the same process. Knowing you’re not alone can make a world of difference when you’re going through the detox process.
Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms
Methadone withdrawal symptoms can be tough. In addition to providing 24-hour medical supervision, our team at Diamond House Detox offers emotional and mental support programs to ease symptoms and encourage abstinence. After the initial medical detox, our guests enter formal substance abuse treatment programs, which include counseling, rehab, social support meetings and other forms of post-detox recovery.
Although withdrawal symptoms associated with methadone are not as severe as what’s seen with other opioids, like heroin, recovery can still be uncomfortable. Withdrawal symptoms may take days to develop and ease depending on the individual.
Often, withdrawal symptoms start to decline after the tenth day during the acute methadone withdrawal stage. Finally, in the post-acute withdrawal stage, most symptoms are emotional and can include anxiety, depression, irritability, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Side effects of quitting methadone may consist of:
Depression
Yawning
Increased tearing or watery eyes
Sweating
Irritability
Restlessness or anxiety
Insomnia
Runny nose
Shivering or trembling
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal cramps
Diarrhea
Muscle aches or joint pain
Body aches
Drug cravings
Methadone Detox and Withdrawal Timelines
Withdrawal symptoms occur within around 30 hours of methadone use and can persist for 10 days afterward. Methadone withdrawal symptoms may last beyond this window, continuing for weeks and, in some cases, months after use. Our team at Diamond House Detox helps manage withdrawal symptoms, mitigating the risks of relapse and easing the severity of detox symptoms.
Methadone withdrawal differs from person to person. The longer the use, the longer your methadone withdrawal timeline and tapering schedule will be. Tapering refers to the process of weaning the body off of a drug to ensure a healthier, more successful withdrawal. Typically, withdrawal and recovery happen in three main phases — acute withdrawal, post-acute withdrawal and long-term recovery.
1. Acute Withdrawal
Acute withdrawal happens from the first 30 hours and peaks within the first three days. The acute phase typically lasts for 10 days before tapering. During the acute phase, methadone withdrawal symptoms may be severe and unpleasant:
Day one to three: Methadone is a long-acting opioid, meaning withdrawal does not occur as quickly as other opioids. Initial symptoms reach a critical point from day three because the substance takes longer to wear off.
Day four to ten: Withdrawal symptoms are acute during days three to eight, lasting up to 10 days or more in some cases. During the acute stage, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, excessive sweating and body aches.
2. Post-Acute Withdrawal
Methadone withdrawal symptoms may last weeks and months after detox. The post-acute or prolonged withdrawal phase typically begins by week three, and a person in recovery may experience the following symptoms for months:
Sleep disturbances
Fatigue
Irritability
Anxiety
Depression
3. Long-Term Recovery
In the long term, most methadone withdrawal symptoms stop. At this stage, it is essential for a person in recovery to take steps to avoid relapse:
Get a support structure in place
Continue with therapy
Attend addiction recovery meetings
Avoid methadone misuse triggers
Stay in a healthy environment
What Affects Methadone Withdrawal Timelines?
Methadone withdrawal symptoms’ severity and timelines are dependent on several factors:
Environmental factors: The environment where methadone withdrawal happens is important. A supportive setting with medical professionals assisting in the detox process and managing symptoms enhances the comfort and well-being of the person experiencing withdrawal. A stressful and unsupportive environment exacerbates symptoms and increases the likelihood of relapse.
History of substance misuse: If a person has a history of misusing substances, the withdrawal process may be more complex.
Age: Older adults may be less tolerant of the physiological symptoms during withdrawal. In some cases, older individuals experience withdrawal longer than young adults might.
Overall health: Healthy individuals are less likely to experience prolonged complications from withdrawal. The more medical issues that happen during withdrawal, the longer the detox process may take. Mental health is also a factor that impacts withdrawal duration and addiction recovery.
How Long Does Methadone Stay in Your System?
Methadone is typically taken daily during MMT, but how long does the medication stay in your system? Once you take a dose of methadone, you will likely feel the benefits of the medication, such as reduced cravings, for about 24 hours. While you may no longer feel the effects of the medication, that does not mean it is completely cleared from your body.
The half-life of methadone varies by person, and factors like age, weight and gender affect the amount of time the medication stays in your system. The medication may be present in your body for days after you last take it.
While standard drug tests can identify opioids like heroin and morphine, they do not indicate methadone misuse — this drug requires more specific tests. Some tests used to check for methadone in an individual’s system include:
Blood: Blood tests are an accurate testing option, as they show methadone up to 30 minutes after use and remain detectable for a few days.
Hair: Hair tests can test for long-term methadone misuse, as traces of the drug remain in the hair for months after use.
Saliva: Saliva tests are a convenient option. They can detect traces of methadone up to 30 minutes after ingestion, and the drug remains present in the saliva for a few days after use.
Urine: Urine tests are most common for testing methadone use. The drug presents in an individual’s urine as early as one hour after use and remains for up to two weeks.
Some people want to detox in the privacy of their own homes, but the client’s safety and well-being are top priorities during the withdrawal process. Detox is always best overseen by medical professionals. When experiencing withdrawal symptoms, you are at increased risk of returning to opioid use to lessen your pain and discomfort.
If you undergo detox in a safe, supervised environment, a care team can help you manage your symptoms and ensure you do not have access to opioids. Going through methadone detoxification at a treatment center can also provide clients with the motivation and support they need from staff and others going through the same process.
Additional tips for overcoming a methadone addiction include:
Set a quit date: It may be helpful to set your quitting date as a meaningful event, like a birthday or anniversary.
Change your environment: Removing any reminders of your methadone addiction from your home or workspace can make it easier to move past it.
Find productive distractions: Develop alternative activities you can do instead of using, such as going on a walk or talking to a family member.
Review your past attempts: If you have tried to quit before, think about what happened and what went wrong to make the correct changes.
Create a support group: Creating a support network of friends, family or an addiction center’s team members will give you access to encouragement and support at any time to help you end your addiction.
Depending on your needs, your doctor may prescribe additional medications to ease the symptoms of methadone withdrawal. Some of your treatment options include:
Clonidine: Can aid in treating conditions like rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
Pepto Bismol: Treats stomach issues like diarrhea.
Over-the-counter pain medications: Aids in managing symptoms such as headaches or bone pain.
Benadryl: Can help reduce insomnia symptoms.
Quitting methadone can be challenging for many people. Methadone is a long-acting opioid — it stays in your body for an extended period. This means the withdrawal process might take longer. Many people who try to quit methadone face strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The long period and withdrawal symptoms make it difficult to do without support.
Additionally, methadone dependency comes with a psychological aspect. Methadone is often used to manage opioid addiction. The fear of relapse and the emotional struggles that can arise during detox can make quitting a challenge. Individuals might hesitate to quit methadone if they’ve used it to manage their opioid addiction.
While quitting methadone is challenging, it’s not impossible. With the right guidance, tapering schedule and support system, people can overcome their dependency. The process may take time, but each step takes you closer to a healthier life. Seeking help from professionals can make all the difference in your journey.
You can quit methadone cold turkey, but it’s extremely difficult and can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. While your symptoms will be non-life threatening, suddenly quitting methadone can make your life challenging. Dealing with nausea, vomiting, anxiety and other symptoms on your own is uncomfortable. Working with professionals to taper off slowly can reduce your discomfort, making symptoms easier to manage. Without tapering, you might relapse if the withdrawal symptoms are too difficult. A treatment plan can help guide you to success.
What to Expect During the Detox Process
Our treatment plans are personalized to your unique needs. Whether you’re in our resident or outpatient treatment program, you can expect to receive dedicated care and support. We’ll work closely with you to develop a program that works with your life, making the process easier. Here’s what you can expect when you work with our expert team:
To ensure we can provide you with an individualized treatment plan, we need to understand everything we can about your condition. That’s why the first step in your detox involves an evaluation performed by either a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Some questions that the medical professional conducting the evaluation might ask a client include:
What is your current dose of methadone?
Where are you in your overall addiction recovery?
Once health care providers understand your needs, they can begin to build a detox plan that works for you. Not only can they assess your level of addiction and where you are in the withdrawal process, but they also use this time to determine if you have an underlying mental health condition. Many clients come to us with undiagnosed psychiatric symptoms, and we can treat them during your stay. This is called a co-occurring disorder.
Learning about a client’s co-occurring disorders can help us personalize their treatment plan and ensure they receive care for their mental health condition and substance use disorder. Treating both conditions can help make the road to recovery successful.
We recognize that no detox plan is a one-size-fits-all treatment. Everyone is different and has individual goals, concerns and needs. That’s why we work with you to customize your methadone addiction treatment plan. A customized treatment plan will involve a precise timeline and dosage for tapering off methadone.
Detoxification is always the first step, but how we attempt this process varies from person to person. Certain clients may require more supervision and medical attention, while others have fewer support needs during the entire detoxification process. However, all guests are monitored all day, every day to ensure their safety and to make sure their withdrawal symptoms and cravings are under control. Since certain withdrawal symptoms can become too strong for some clients, medical staff may need to provide more care and attention to their detox treatment plan.
For some guests, we also recommend therapy sessions. Our therapy program allows you to identify any problem areas that may need addressing during your recovery process.
Substance use disorder is a chronic condition, which means relapse is possible. It’s beneficial to continue ongoing care after the initial treatment is complete to stay on track and continue living a healthy lifestyle.
We are committed to the sobriety of each of our guests, even after your time with us is over. That’s why we encourage you to enter some sort of post-detox treatment, whether it be rehab, counseling or drug addiction meetings. These programs allow you to identify stressors that may have led to your methadone addiction and to come up with skills and methods to avoid a relapse.
Your care team will discuss other medication options, as well as counseling and behavioral therapy options for you. Once you detox, you will want to continue to move forward with your recovery, and regular follow-up care will be important.
Why Trust Us?
Choosing Diamond House Detox means choosing a personalized path to recovery in a supportive environment. Located in Northern California, Diamond House offers both residential and outpatient treatment options, letting you detox in comfort and privacy. With luxurious private rooms, you have the personal space to rest, reflect and heal without distractions.
What sets Diamond House Detox apart is our holistic approach. We believe in addressing the whole person with care. Our low client-to-counselor ratio ensures personalized care and attention. Additionally, we have an on-site private chef who prepares nourishing meals designed to help you feel strong. With mindfulness practices and tailored therapy services, you’ll get the tools you need to manage cravings and triggers. Let our customized treatment plans and care set you up for success.
With Diamond House Detox, You’ll Never Detox Alone
Detoxing alone can be dangerous. Although the withdrawal symptoms associated with methadone abuse are moderate, clients may encounter some severe health risks. Medical supervision ensures that if an issue arises, you have a team on hand to care for you. Detox clinics also help mitigate symptoms and put you on the road to a successful recovery.
At Diamond House Detox, we offer you a safe, comfortable place to go through detox. We aim to address substance use and the mental health and spiritual needs of all our guests. We take an individual approach in a residential setting designed to make you feel ready to rebuild your life. Contact us today to get the support you need!
