Methadone is primarily used to treat opioid use disorder as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Opioid use disorder changes how the brain responds to stress, reward, and pain. When someone stops using opioids, they often experience withdrawal symptoms such as:

  • Muscle aches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Anxiety and restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Strong cravings

Methadone helps prevent these withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. By stabilizing the brain and body, methadone allows people to focus on recovery activities such as counseling, mental health care, rebuilding relationships, employment, and long-term recovery goals.

Research consistently shows that people who receive medication treatment for opioid use disorder have better outcomes than those who attempt to stop using opioids without medical support.

To learn more about methadone, read our article titled ‘What Is Methadone?’