Frequently Asked Questions
Health Care Resource Centers and our affiliate brands, BAART Programs and MedMark Treatment Centers, are committed to providing the same quality treatment experience no matter which location you visit.
While we sincerely hope and strive toward getting people to completely stop all substance use, we recognize that this may not happen immediately and that some people will struggle with ongoing craving and substance use even when in treatment. With this in mind, we work closely with people to reduce cravings and ongoing use providing added counseling and medication adjustments as needed—all the while keeping you as safe as possible.
No, the lack of understanding on this topic furthers the stigma around MAT and creates barriers for those struggling with opioid addiction. Methadone and buprenorphine are FDA approved medications that do not cause “euphoria” or impairment when taken at the correct dosage. Instead, they relieve an individual’s craving for opioids and the physical symptoms of withdrawal. In addition, MAT programs provide counseling and supportive services to address the causes of addiction so that patients may achieve long-term recovery. Individuals in a medication-assisted treatment program are often able to regain employment, rejoin their family and become productive members of their communities. Like many other prescription medications, there are withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly, but those are managed through a carefully monitored, individualized medically-supervised taper to come off medication.
When taken as prescribed, methadone and buprenorphine are safe and effective in the treatment of opioid addiction. Extensive research indicates that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) does not cause physical harm to patients, even if patients are in a MAT program on a long-term basis. MAT program medical providers carefully monitor the dosage for each patient to ensure it is safe and appropriate for their needs. There are many myths about the effects of methadone on the body, but extensive research over the last 50 years has proven no lasting side effects from the use of methadone to treat opioid addiction.
The length of a medication-assisted treatment program varies for each person based on a number of factors including their drug use history, drug of choice, recovery support system and individual brain chemistry. While the time in treatment can vary, research indicates that the longer individuals participate in a medication-assisted treatment program, the more likely they are to experience long-term recovery.
Methadone is a full agonist opioid meaning that it acts similarly to other opioids by acting directly on the mu opioid receptors in the brain. However, there are two key differences:
1) When administering at the proper dose, there is no “high” like with illicit opioids.
2) It is very long-acting so it does not cause cycles of high and withdrawal like short-acting opioids do. The long-acting nature of methadone allows a single dose to provide relief for 24-36 hours when administered. Methadone helps to normalize the chemical and hormonal imbalances an individual experiences when in active opioid addiction. This effect reduces the physical symptoms of withdrawal and eliminates the craving for illicit opioids.
The correct dosage of methadone varies for each patient. The goal of methadone maintenance treatment is to reach a therapeutic dose where the patient no longer experiences physical withdrawal symptoms, has cravings, or feels the need to use illicit opioids. Methadone is a longer lasting opioid than heroin and most prescription pain relievers, allowing a single daily dose to be effective for addiction treatment.
Methadone is available in pills, tablets, wafers and liquid forms. Health Care Resource Centers ONLY dispenses liquid methadone. It is taken at the medication window with a nurse as a witness to assure proper administration and prevent diversion of the medication. Take home medication is also given in liquid form once the patient meets all legal and clinical requirements.
Most side effects are reported as mild, and if experienced, should be discussed with your treatment provider and physician as a dosage adjustment may help. Possible side effects can include:
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Modest weight gain
- Dry mouth
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Sleep disturbances
- Nausea
- Mood swings
- Decreased libido
A proper dose of buprenorphine, or buprenorphine compound, varies for each person and doses are carefully adjusted for maximal effectiveness and safety on an individualized basis. At a certain point, increasing the dose may not provide additional benefits due to the ceiling effect. It is important to note that before beginning a buprenorphine treatment program, a patient must be completely opioid-free or experiencing moderate withdrawal to ensure that a complication called precipitated withdrawal does not occur.
Buprenorphine, and buprenorphine compounds such as Suboxone, are known to have a ceiling effect. This means that the effects of the medication do not increase beyond a certain dose. In this instance, it means that any feeling of euphoria provided by Suboxone is limited, and at a certain dose, will not increase any further regardless of how much medication is taken.
Most side effects are reported as mild, and if experienced, should be discussed with your treatment provider and physician as a dosage adjustment may help. Possible side effects can include:
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Sleep disturbances
- Upset stomach or vomiting
- Mood swings
This is opioid withdrawal symptoms caused by taking buprenorphine too soon after the last opioid use. This can be very uncomfortable and unpleasant, but it is usually preventable by following the induction dosing instructions for starting buprenorphine.
Methadone and buprenorphine are both FDA approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, or opioid addiction. Both medications are classified as opioids, have similar side effects and are long-acting medications. However, very key differences distinguish them from one another.
Methadone is a full opioid agonist. This means that as the dose increases, there will be increased therapeutic effects as well as possible side effects. In a medically supervised program, once the right dosage is achieved, methadone can provide relief from opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Additionally, a therapeutic methadone dose can reduce the likelihood of feeling high if illicit opioids are used. Some people refer to a therapeutic dose as a “blocking dose” for this reason.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it does not fully activate the mu opioid receptors in the brain. This is commonly referred to as a “ceiling effect.” This means that as the dose increases, it is less likely that there will be increased therapeutic effects or side effects. Partial opioid agonists are considered safer due to this quality. Additionally, buprenorphine with naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Suboxone, can actually cause an individual to go into immediate withdrawal if injected, deterring misuse and potentially avoiding overdoses.
Contact HCRC Today
If opioid addiction is impacting your life or the life of someone you care about, reach out to our treatment center. We are here to provide the support and care you need to take the first step toward recovery.
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All Health Care Resource Centers locations are federally certified, state licensed, and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
