Methadone is a prescription medication that is commonly used in the treatment of opioid addiction. Methadone itself is a controlled substance that can be addictive, so it is important to only take it as prescribed by a doctor. Methadone works by binding to the same brain receptors as other opioids, but it does not produce the same feelings of euphoria. This can help to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
This medication can help those with opioid use disorders reach a place of stability. If you’re looking for a methadone clinic, reach out to BrightView at 888.501.9865 or connect with us online.
Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
If you or a loved one is facing an opioid use disorder, methadone treatment may be an option to consider. As part of a comprehensive approach to treatment, methadone can help to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It is important to work with a team of professionals who can tailor a treatment plan to your individual needs.
Methadone and Drug Screening
When patients are using methadone as part of their recovery treatment plan, they often ask whether or not having the drug in their system will make them test positive on a drug test. While specific methadone drug tests do exist, the use of methadone does not typically show up on a standard urine drug test. The urine tests that are commonly used by employers are more generalized. They do detect opiate drug use, including the use of:
- Heroin
- Codeine
- Morphine
However, they do not usually detect methadone, which would require a more specialized drug test looking for that particular chemical makeup.
There are some fairly basic over-the-counter drugs that do sometimes show a methadone false positive. Diphenhydramine, for example, which is found in common OTC antihistamines like BENADRYL®, occasionally displays like methadone on a drug test. Drugs with sleep aids like Tylenol PM or Advil PM can also present a false-positive result.
Drug Testing During Addiction Treatment
Do employers test for methadone? Some may. However, it is important to note that if your doctor has prescribed methadone maintenance to help ease withdrawal symptoms as one of your treatment options, you cannot legally be terminated from employment if methadone should appear in your test results. Patients who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction and are undergoing medication assisted treatment are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Effective Medication Assisted Treatment Without Methadone
If you or a loved one is suffering from the disease of addiction, there are other very effective treatment options available without methadone use.
Suboxone, which is a partial opioid agonist, is one example of a successful medication assisted treatment that does not use methadone. Suboxone is a brand name of a buprenorphine/naloxone medication. Other brand names include Sublocade, Brixadi, and Subutex. It is similar to methadone in that it helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms by binding to the same receptors in the brain. However, Suboxone does not produce the same high as other opioids and has a much lower risk of abuse and addiction.
Another option for treatment is Vivitrol. Vivitrol is an injection that is given once a month and helps to prevent relapse by blocking the receptors in the brain that are affected by drugs and alcohol. Vivitrol has been shown to be particularly successful in those who are also receiving counseling and other forms of therapy as part of their treatment plan.
Help for Opioid Addiction at BrightView
BrightView’s treatment centers use medication assisted treatment to help our patients recover from addiction. Medication assisted treatment, when combined with counseling and group therapies, can be highly effective at achieving positive long-term results in treating substance use disorders. Our outpatient approach also helps individuals maintain many of their normal day-to-day activities and employment, which is also an important component of a successful recovery process. If you are ready to break free from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, we encourage you to contact us today at 888.501.9865.
