Methadone vs. Suboxone Treatment in Kissimmee

The History of Methadone Treatment and MAT

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is for recovering from opioid drugs to help keep the patient from suffering through pain, ease intense drug cravings and restlessness, to allow medical professionals to slowly reduce the amount of opioids in the patient’s system using a tapering-off method. Doctors began using Methadone as an opioid replacement therapy medication in 1947. Overall, the use of Methadone in treating heroin and other opioid addictions is seen as a great success, and it is still one of the most widely used medications prescribed for this purpose today.

Unfortunately, Methadone is also addictive, which helped spur the creation of Suboxone as a replacement for Methadone. It is a combination of naloxone and buprenorphine and has a much lower potential for abuse.
You may be wondering about the benefits of Methadone vs Suboxone treatment in Kissimmee, and the truth is there is no definitive answer, as every patient reacts to medication differently. Both are effective medications in treating opioid addictions, and they each have their own side effects and downsides.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

Benefits of Methadone Treatment

Methadone is a painkiller that helps relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms, and it has gradual and mild effects on the patient. In addiction treatment, it is used to replace the addictive substance. It has been proven to significantly reduce addiction and the risk-taking behaviors associated with addiction like needle sharing.

Because Methadone moves into the same receptor sites in the brain that opioids would fill, the patients do not suffer the same intense drug cravings they would without Methadone. During Methadone treatment in Kissimmee, this causes the flu-like withdrawal symptoms to go away, keeping the patient comfortable and able to focus on healing themselves through therapy and counseling.

Methadone Side Effects

Methadone treatment in Kissimmee does come with side effects, including:

  • Dry mouth
  • Light-headedness
  • Sexual impotence
  • Depressed respiratory function
  • Drowsiness
  • Stomach issues
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Seizures

Long-term use of Methadone can also cause issues with the liver and reduced attention span. Methadone can also be addictive, as it activates opioid receptors in the brain and creates a pleasant chemical reaction that can cause physical dependence and addiction over time, especially if abused. It should be treated only with extreme caution and continuous medical oversight.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a synthetic opioid made from 80% buprenorphine and 20% naloxone specifically created to fight opioid addiction. The buprenorphine provides relief from withdrawal symptoms by partially binding to opioid receptors in the brain. The naloxone blocks the opioid effect, so you do not get any sort of high from the medication.

Benefits of Suboxone Treatment

The main difference in Methadone vs. Suboxone is that Suboxone treatment in Kissimmee will stop unpleasant withdrawal symptoms without the risk of addiction down the road because it was created to fight addiction and does not create pleasant “high” feelings. Like Methadone, Suboxone will allow the patient to focus on healing themselves rather than drug cravings and painful symptoms.

Side Effects of Suboxone

During Suboxone treatment in Kissimmee, the side effects of Suboxone are generally mild and include:

  • Trouble concentrating
  • Numbness around the mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Vomiting

A high dose of Suboxone can, in very rare cases, cause serotonin syndrome to occur, with symptoms like agitation, dilated pupils, diarrhea, tremors, sweating, and high body temperature.

MAT Drug Rehab at WhiteSands

At WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab, we provide a fully holistic, integrated Medically Assisted Treatment, also known as MAT drug rehab for opioids that includes the use of Suboxone. During MAT drug rehab in Kissimmee, we provide medical treatments and 24-hour care as you stay in a private room, with the option of partaking in holistic therapies. We also introduce therapy and counseling early in your treatment to support and begin the healing process fully.

After you complete your Suboxone treatment in Kissimmee, we recommend moving into one of our luxury rehabilitation programs customized to each patient, including amenities like spa treatments. Contact us today to learn more about MAT drug rehab in Kissimmee and our luxury rehab programs. We can help you quit using opioid drugs safely and effectively, rebuild relationships, get to the root of your addiction and gain the skills and tools you need to move on with your life drug-free.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.