Introduction
Millions of people have lost their lives to opioid addiction. A few years ago, there were only a few treatment options. Today, however, a variety of medical treatments are readily available at any high-quality methadone clinic in Louisville KY. Apart from seeking opioid addiction treatment from methadone clinics in KY, you can also try Suboxone to reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms.
The truth of the matter is that these two treatment methods react differently in the body. They both have their merits and demerits. In this article, we break down each of the treatment methods to enable you to choose the one that most appeals to you.
Methadone vs. Suboxone: The Differences
So, in what ways are these two approaches different? Understanding how they work in treating your addiction helps to ease your decision-making and allows you to opt for the best possible treatment method for your particular case.
Methadone
Addiction problems related to opioids have been treated by methadone since the 1960s. Methadone can be defined as a synthetic substance that belongs to the opiate agonists category. That is to say that methadone stimulates the parts of the brain that are affected by opiates. You will need to take it once in 24 hours to eliminate withdrawal symptoms. Also, it stops cravings for opiates like heroin and morphine.
Methadone has been proven to eliminate cravings for opioids effectively if monitored carefully. But it’s not the only one. One other substance that is mentioned in the same breath is Suboxone.
Suboxone
Unlike methadone, it is a relatively new entrant as far as the treatment options for opiates addiction is concerned. Suboxone is a mix of opioid agonists and antagonists. The two substances usually combined are buprenorphine (agonist) and Naloxone (antagonist). When combined, these two substances form a potent weapon for eliminating your withdrawal symptoms, and at the same time causing repulsive actions in case you use opiates.
But one thing common between these two medications is their risk for addiction. You will suffer from withdrawal symptoms just like other opiates once you have stopped using them.
Methadone Pros and Cons
Methadone has been used for a long time in addiction treatment, and it has also been widely studied. It means that the way it works and its effects on the brain are better understood than Suboxone. This means that they can find a safe and healthy dose of methadone more easily. They don’t need to experiment.
Also, because of its well-known nature, methadone is widely accepted as a treatment for addiction. This also has driven its cost down and more insurance companies cover it compared to other medications or treatments. Additionally, many methadone clinics in KY will offer a sliding scale, which means you are charged according to your income. Therefore, it is still affordable even for the uninsured.
Another advantage of methadone is that it is long-lasting and highly structured. Once put on the treatment, each patient will receive one dose under a strictly monitored schedule. This way, individuals recovering from addiction can follow the treatment easily and understand it. Also, it motivates them to defeat their addiction.
But like all other treatment methods, methadone isn’t flawless. The main disadvantage of methadone is that it is possible to abuse other opioids even if you are under them. It makes it a lot harder for people suffering from a severe addiction to overcome their problems.
It also has mild side effects like constipation, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain. However, it is generally a safe and effective treatment option. The cons can be managed, while its advantages make a compelling case for it.
Suboxone Pros and Cons
Suboxone provides a two-pronged approach to detoxify the body. On the one hand, the partial agonist component of the drug prevents you from experiencing emotional and physical distress that complicates withdrawal and recovery. The antagonist bit discourages the use of other opioids while you are under Suboxone treatment, which is important in preventing relapse.
The inability to use opiates is a great benefit for individuals struggling with addiction. Since patients know that they cannot use the substances, they are forced to accept a recovery that they previously fought against. This makes their mind a tad bit clearer than they would have been.
Suboxone also acts faster than methadone. It takes weeks to even months to be free of opiates when you use methadone. But with Suboxone, you will start feeling an improvement in your withdrawal symptoms much faster. As a result, most of your rehab time is spent focusing on managing the problem that led to your addiction.
But the problem with Suboxone is that it does have a wide range of side effects. These include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Decreased sex drive
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
Also, Suboxone leads to a reaction when used with sedatives or alcohol. Heavy use of opioids also triggers the same effects, including extreme drowsiness and confusion.
Furthermore, Suboxone is not tested or as widely known as methadone. Being a relatively new treatment, doctors still have to experiment with the right dosage. Its limited use also means it is more expensive than visiting a methadone clinic Louisville KY. Although there are clinics that have a sliding scale for the treatment, it is still a more expensive option.
The good news is that Suboxone can be used at home. The doctor will prescribe the medicine and you can use it at home without coming to the hospital daily.
Conclusion: Which is More Effective?
Both these treatment methods can help you eliminate opiates from your body safely and effectively. But like other treatments, the best way to manage these options is enlisting the help of a professional doctor. The good news is that there are many top methadone clinics in KY that are ready to help you. Even better, methadone treatment is covered by most insurance providers these days, as it has become widely popular. If you don’t have coverage, some facilities offer a sliding scale fee computation.
