Methadone and Suboxone are drugs commonly used in opioid replacement therapy, a form of medication assisted therapy, or MAT. Methadone and Suboxone both work by mimicking the effects of opioids, only they don’t cause the same euphoria. Therefore, they can reduce the intense cravings that so often derail recovery from opioid addiction while allowing the patient to function normally. Whether methadone or Suboxone is better depends on who you are and what you need. Methadone is a much older drug. It has been used for more than 60 years to treat opioid addiction and it is well understood. It is also available in a generic, which means you can get it at a fraction of the cost of Suboxone and other forms of buprenorphine. While insurance often covers treatment medication, if you are paying out of pocket, the cheaper cost can make a big difference. Methadone must be distributed through clinics. This can be a good thing or it can be a hassle. For people new to recovery, having to pick up their dose of methadone every day can provide some structure and contact with the recovery world they may not otherwise have. However, if your recovery is pretty stable and you’re busy, having to pick up your methadone is just an extra chore. A final advantage of methadone is that it can be used to relieve pain. If you’re recovering from an injury or surgery, buprenorphine will not only offer less pain relief, but it will also block other opioid pain relievers, so methadone may be a good alternative if pain is a factor in your recovery equation. Suboxone, or buprenorphine, is a newer medication. Perhaps its best feature is that it’s safer. There’s supposed to be a ceiling effect built into it, meaning that after a certain dose, it will not have any additional effect. As a result, it’s very hard to overdose on Suboxone, whereas people can and do fatally overdose on methadone. You can also get a prescription from some doctors for Suboxone, meaning you don’t have to go to the clinic every day. You may even be able to get a buprenorphine implant, called Sublocade, which lasts for a month, so you don’t even have to remember to take your medication. Suboxone also prevents other opioids from having an effect, which adds an extra layer of protection from relapse. On the downside, it costs more, but it is also more commonly covered by insurance. There may also be side effects, which include headache, constipation, nausea, dizziness, and some others. It’s best to discuss with your doctor or addiction counselor which medication is best for you. If you don’t like one, you’re not necessarily stuck with it. It’s not terribly difficult to transition from one to the other. Typically, people will want to transition to Suboxone, since it’s safer, more convenient, and easier to taper off of, if you should ever decide you want to quit taking it.
If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction or mental illness, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
