How can I get off of methadone?

Since methadone creates a physical dependency on the drug, stopping it abruptly (e.g., “cold turkey”) would lead to intense withdrawal symptoms and drug craving. The accepted way of discontinuing methadone is called medically supervised withdrawal (MSW). Its main objective is to relieve or prevent uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and craving while the patient gradually achieves an opioid-free state.

During MSW – sometimes erroneously called “detox” – the daily dose of methadone is decreased by small amounts over time, taking many weeks or months. This should only be done under the care of a doctor, and only after discussing the reasons for wanting to discontinue methadone and considering ongoing treatment alternatives. Relatively few persons who withdraw from methadone or other opioids, and who do not continue in some form of addiction treatment program, stay drug-free for any extended length of time.

A more rapid form of withdrawal, taking only hours, requires that the person first be put completely to sleep (under general anesthesia) in order to tolerate the otherwise severe withdrawal symptoms, and then certain medications are used to purge the body of methadone or other opioids. This method is expensive and still undergoing study in terms of its safety and long-lasting benefits. Many, if not most, persons undergoing this treatment have eventually returned to illicit-opioid abuse (relapsed).