What are the Top Methadone Alternatives?

Icarus Nevada Offers Several MAT Options Beyond Methadone

Methadone is a popular type of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction. Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist that can be prescribed for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment. It can also treat pain. Although Methadone is approved for opioid addiction, it has limitations and risks.

While Methadone treatment works for some, it may not be suitable for everyone. If you’re looking for Methadone alternatives, Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada can help.

Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada is a top-rated addiction, mental health, and dual diagnosis treatment center in Las Vegas. We are here to help you or your loved one find solutions at any stage of the recovery process.

Let’s talk about some of the top Methadone alternatives you may have heard of first. Then, we’ll discuss the unique benefits of working with Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada, including how we can help you find the right type of MAT for you and overcome Opioid Use Disorder.

What are the Best Methadone Alternatives?

Methadone treatment can be inconvenient, requiring daily visits to a Methadone clinic. Some Methadone alternatives are easier to access (and maintain access to). Side effects and the potential for overdose are two other important considerations.

Multiple types of medication are approved to treat opioid addiction. The best Methadone alternative may differ from person to person. With that in mind, here are some of the most common alternatives to Methadone treatment for people addicted to opioids.

Buprenorphine Extended-Release Injection

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It produces a weaker version of effects, like euphoria, caused by opioid drugs. Using buprenorphine can:

• Reduce effects like withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• Increase your safety in the case of an overdose.
• Reduce your potential for misuse.

There are different types of buprenorphine injections. One of the benefits of buprenorphine injections is that you don’t have to take a daily pill. Sublocade and Brixadi injections contain buprenorphine as the active ingredient.

Extended-Release Naltrexone

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. It works by binding and blocking opioid receptors in the brain. This blocks the effects of opioid drugs (e.g., euphoria and sedation) and suppresses cravings. Like buprenorphine, naltrexone for Opioid Use Disorder is an injection. Vivitrol injections provide extended-release Naltrexone.

Suboxone Oral Tablets

Suboxone is, potentially, one of the most popular alternatives to Methadone. You may have heard of Suboxone before. Suboxone contains a combination of two medications (buprenorphine and naloxone). This means that a Suboxone prescription can provide the benefits of both buprenorphine and naloxone.

Suboxone is taken daily by mouth. Zubsolv tablets contain the same two active ingredients as Methadone. While Methadone is a schedule II controlled substance, Suboxone is a schedule III drug. Methadone can come with a higher potential for abuse than Suboxone, and Methadone is more likely to cause overdose when used incorrectly.

Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada vs. Methadone Clinics

It is essential that you work with a healthcare provider if you decide to stop, start, or change any prescription drug. Professional support can help you navigate MAT and make the right choice. Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada can help you find the right alternative to Methadone treatment for you.

Additionally, Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada offers a full continuum of care for people overcoming opioid addiction and other substance use disorders.

Detox Services for OUD

Detox can be an important first step in opioid addiction treatment. Both street drugs like heroin and prescription opioid drugs cause physical dependence relatively quickly with repeated use.

When you are physically dependent on a drug, getting off of it can come with uncomfortable

withdrawal symptoms.

Our detox program in Nevada helps people facing all forms of substance abuse get off of drugs and reach physical stability. You will likely stay in detox for about one week for opioid withdrawal symptoms before transitioning into an inpatient or outpatient treatment program.

Comprehensive Treatment Plans for Opioid Addiction

Our inpatient and outpatient programs provide comprehensive therapy for addiction, which is essential for those using MAT to treat Opioid Use Disorder. Medication-assisted treatment can help manage withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings, while behavioral therapy can provide coping skills, address the underlying causes of addiction, and aid the repair of interpersonal relationships.

The addiction treatment programs at Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada can also help you navigate career re-entry or job and education plans post-treatment, legal issues, and other aspects of recovery.

Our inpatient and outpatient treatment programs use group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, MAT (when applicable), and general medication management. Life skills, recreation, and other activities can also be an important part of our programs.

When you attend Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada for opioid addiction, you’ll get a personalized addiction treatment plan. Co-occurring mental health concerns, such as mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma, are addressed alongside Opioid Use Disorder as needed to promote the best possible treatment outcomes.

Using only Methadone is not something we recommend–it’s integral to address the underlying causes and effects of opioid addiction.

Multiple Types of MAT

Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada offers multiple types of MAT. Having multiple Methadone treatment alternatives is one of many reasons why we are confident that we can help you or your loved one find the best option for your personal recovery success.

Everyone reacts to Methadone and alternative medications differently. Our providers will work with you to find the right choice and adjust your medication regimens as needed. Sometimes, people use MAT for a period of time and get off of it due to side effects or for another reason. Other times, people stay on it long-term or for life.

Health Insurance Coverage

Attending methadone clinics can be expensive. Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada accepts most forms of health insurance to help you cover the cost of opioid addiction treatment. You can also use health insurance to cover the cost of medication for opioid addiction itself.

Aftercare Planning and Alumni Support

Ongoing support can be imperative for those overcoming substance abuse. Before you leave Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada, we’ll help you make a custom aftercare plan to aid your ongoing recovery from opioid addiction. This may include support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA), continued therapy, ongoing medication treatment for Opioid Use Disorder, and additional resources that help set you up for long-term success.

Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada also has an alumni program for former clients. Our alumni program lets you keep connecting to the support system you build while in any level of care (whether inpatient or outpatient) at Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada.

Call Icarus Nevada for Methadone Alternatives and Support

Contact Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada to find out more about how we can help you or your loved one overcome Opioid dependence. Opioid addiction can start in many different ways, and it can impact anyone. We know that recovery is possible.

To connect with our team, call Icarus Nevada’s admission line today. Our Las Vegas location welcomes people from all areas seeking opioid addiction treatment and Methadone alternatives.

FAQs Regarding Methadone Alternatives

What are the alternatives to Methadone maintenance?

If you are looking for a Methadone alternative, you have multiple options. Suboxone is one of the most well-known alternatives to Methadone maintenance. Like Methadone, Suboxone is offered in multiple forms, including tablets. Suboxone reduces cravings and helps to manage withdrawals like Methadone, but it can be preferable for several reasons.

While Methadone and other oral medications for OUD are administered daily, some people prefer injections because they are administered less frequently. Naloxone and buprenorphine extended‐release injections are both available for OUD.

How does Methadone work?

Used to treat OUD and severe pain, Methadone works by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain. While it binds to the same receptors, it does so more slowly than other opioids (e.g., heroin, oxycodone). Some people prefer alternatives like Suboxone, which is a partial opioid antagonist.

What is safer than Methadone?

Buprenorphine is generally regarded as safer than Methadone. Buprenorphine can come with a lower risk of overdose and dependence than Methadone. It is often easier to access and may come with fewer side effects.

Additionally, buprenorphine treatment for opioid dependence may be safer than Methadone treatment during pregnancy, according to data from over 13,000 pregnancies.

What are other forms of Methadone?

Methadone hydrochloride tablets are the most common type of Methadone treatment. However, an oral suspension (liquid) version is also available.

References

1. https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/naltrexone
2. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/information-about-medications-opioid-use-disorder-moud
3. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-buprenorphine-treatment-option-opioid-use-disorder
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459126/
5. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2814698