Q.) What is methadone?

A.) Methadone is a long- acting opioid medication that is used as a pain reliever or together with counseling and other psychosocial services, is used to treat individuals addicted to heroin and certain prescription drugs.

Q.) What does methadone treatment do for me?

A.) It helps normalize your body’s neurological and hormonal functions that has been impaired by the use of heroin or misuse of other short-acting opioids.

Q.)What are some of the prescription opiates abused?

A.)Codeine, morphine, oxycodone, oxycontin, hydrocodone, methadone.

Q.)What are some of the facts about methadone?

A.)When taken as directed:

• Methadone treatment can improve your health
• Methadone will not cause euphoria ( make you feel like you are “high” )
• Methadone will not make you sick
• Methadone will not affect your immune system
• Methadone will not damage your teeth and bones
• Methadone does not make you gain weight
• Methadone usually works best when is taken once a day at the same time every day
• Your initial dose of methadone will usually be low, 30-40 mg.
• Your individual dose will be adjusted by the physician over time until you maintenance dose is determined
• It takes a few days to feel the full effects of a dose adjustment
• Taking other drugs may interfere with the adjustment of your dose
• Taking more opioids won’t get you high, but you could over-dose
• It may take 2-6 weeks to find the right dose
• Information regarding your treatment is protected by federal confidentiality regulations and can not be release without your consent except as shared by the staff for treatment purposes, by court order, if your counselor considered you to be a danger to yourself or others. Any other situation for disclosure will be discussed with you by your counselor.