How Does Methadone Work?

What Happens to the Brain During Opioid Withdrawal?

When someone is going through opioid withdrawal, multiple brain circuits “overload.”  The brain in withdrawal looks something like this:

Withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, chills, achiness, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme restlessness. While these symptoms are not usually life-threatening, they are extremely uncomfortable – often described as “the worst I have ever felt in my life.”

How Methadone Stops Withdrawal Symptoms

Methadone Makes the Brain Function Normally Again

Methadone uses the same brain receptors that have been damaged by severe opioid addiction to normalize brain function. By occupying the receptors, they prevent horrible withdrawal symptoms that drive people to desperation.

When methadone is present, the brain looks more “relaxed” like this:

All the areas that were “overloaded” during withdrawal are calm, and the brain is back to normal function again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Methadone Treatment

Do People Taking Methadone Get “High”?

Not at all. People with an opioid addiction who are treated with methadone function normally. They don’t get “high” or drowsy. 

When you are around them, you would never notice anything different about them – because their brains are now back in balance. Because they no longer need to worry about withdrawal symptoms, they can return to living everyday lives.

Is Methadone Dangerous?

When given in the proper dose, methadone is not dangerous or toxic. It does not damage the body in any way. It does not hurt the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or other organs. 

Rumors that it “crumbles your bones” or “rots your teeth” are false. Methadone is perfectly safe when taken as directed at the proper dose.

Methadone can lead to overdoses and death when not taken properly – for example, if people take too much or take methadone that is not prescribed to them, or if they combine it with other drugs or alcohol. That is why it is essential for people taking methadone only to take it as directed, keep it safe from children and adolescents, and never to give or sell your medication to anyone else.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Methadone Treatment?

Since methadone does not damage the body in any way, there is no urgency to stop it if it is helping. Once the abnormal brain circuits have been normalized, people can stay on a dose that works for them or decide to taper off slowly. By tapering slowly, they can give the brain time to heal. Eventually, they may be able to go back to how they were before their opioid addiction without assistance from medication.

How Well Does Methadone Work?

Methadone is by far the safest and most effective treatment available for people who are struggling with opioid addiction. If you or someone you know needs help, please let them know that effective treatment is available and that they are not alone in their suffering. 

Get Treatment for Opioid Addiction at Community Medical Services

At Community Medical Services, we care about our clients and dedicate ourselves to treating all with respect and compassion. We understand how difficult it can be to struggle with opioid addiction. We are here to listen and help in any way we can.

Our primary goals are to keep our clients alive (prevent overdoses) and help them thrive – to work with them on their journey to recovery. The first step in that journey is to call or come into one of our clinics – we are there to help you every step of the way.

Book an appointment at a Community Medical Services clinic near you.

About the Author

Dr. Robert Sherrick was appointed CMS’s first Chief Science Officer in 2023, transitioning from Chief Medical Officer, a role he served for years.

Before serving CMS, he had experience working at an inpatient addiction treatment facility in Montana, Pathways Treatment Center, treating all forms of Substance Use Disorders and dual-diagnosis patients. Dr. Sherrick has been providing medication-assisted treatment for Opioid Use Disorder since 2003, initially in an office setting using buprenorphine and subsequently with methadone in Opioid Treatment Programs.

He established a state-wide buprenorphine treatment program for VA Montana with an extensive focus on telemedicine. He is board-certified in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Preventative Medicine. He is the Immediate Past President of the Northwest Chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Dr. Sherrick received his MS and BS in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his MD from George Washington University Medical Center.