Methadone vs Suboxone
The largest difference is in the medication themselves. Methadone is a long-acting full agonist opioid where Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Suboxone, is only a partial opioid agonist. The difference is how the medication can have effects on the individual. For example, morphine, heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone are all full opioid agonists like that of Methadone. However, Methadone is a longer acting full opioid agonist than all the other opioids. Buprenorphine, which is in Suboxone, Subutex, and Zubsolv are only partial opioid agonists, which means it covers the receptors in the brain which are associated with withdrawal and cravings. As it assists with the needed aspects to help those in recovery from Opioid Use Disorder, it is less addictive than that of the full opioid agonist Methadone. To learn more in depth about click here to learn How Suboxone Works.
Another major difference between Methadone vs Suboxone is the addiction aspect. Methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, which is the same category as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin), cocaine, and many other substances. Schedule II controlled substances are categorized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for their high potential for addiction and abuse. Suboxone, or Buprenorphine, is a Schedule III substance which means it has this classification for a low to moderate potential for addiction and/or abuse. To find a list of all the controlled substances by the DEA and their classification, click here to access the List of Scheduling Actions, Controlled Substances, and Regulated Chemicals. What this also means is the withdrawal from Methadone, especially for those on higher doses, is much more severe than that of Suboxone. Staying consistent on medication will prevent withdrawal effects, but in the event of any disruption in treatment the individual could suffer greatly. And Suboxone is possible to taper off with minimal to no withdrawal effects.
The last major difference between Methadone vs Suboxone, is the active ingredient in Suboxone of Naloxone. Both Suboxone and Zubsolv have Naloxone, whereas Subutex does not. Click here to learn about the differences between Subutex vs Suboxone as well as Zubsolv vs Suboxone. Methadone does not include Naloxone which is an amazing addition in the medication Suboxone. Naloxone is most known for being the main ingredient in Narcan as it is an opioid antagonist, which means it will reverse the effects of opioids. When in Suboxone the medication does not block the partial opioid agonist of Buprenorphine but provides a safety net for any other opioid usage. Therefore, patients on Suboxone or Zubsolv and taking the medication as prescribed will not be able to use other opioids due to the Naloxone. This is a safety net that is not provided with Methadone or Subutex. As this is an amazing addition to the medications, those successful in their recovery from opioid addiction on another medication should be supported, but because of this Suboxone is a preferred medication to assist with recovery from Opioid Use Disorder.
Another difference between Methadone vs Suboxone is how the treatment for these can be delivered. Due to Methadone being a Schedule II controlled substance patients must attend in-person treatment facilities. As over time a person can get take home medication with Methadone, it still requires in-person visits. As of October 2, 2024, the treatment with Buprenorphine based medications like that of Suboxone, Subutex, and Zubsolv has been approved for 100% complete treatment via telehealth with the use of Online Suboxone Doctors. So how can this be helpful? Many living in more rural areas will not have a Methadone clinic near them, or any treatment facility for that matter. With telehealth this means that everyone has access to treatment, no longer searching for a Suboxone clinic near me. Recover Clarity can assist any residents in the states we operate in, regardless of their location. There are also many other advantages to telehealth which eliminates many of the barriers which stop people from receiving life-saving care, click here to learn about the Telehealth Advantages.
Changing from Methadone to Suboxone is possible. Contact Us here at Recover Clarity to work with you on how to make this change and get set on a plan to be on a safer and better method of opioid addiction treatment. Also, there is a wealth of information on this website to help explain more about Suboxone treatment. Many pages have already been linked on this page. Click here to learn more about Transitioning from Methadone to Suboxone. And what is most important is assisting patients in becoming completely free of the need for any substance. Here at Recover Clarity, we strive to make this happen for patients, here you can learn about Completing Suboxone Treatment without Suboxone Withdrawal.
Stigmas About Suboxone Because of Methadone
Stigmas in the opioid addiction treatment industry are some of the largest problems that Suboxone clinics face as well as the physicians, therapists, nurses, staff, and most importantly the patients. Stigmas around addiction and treatment are one of the largest barriers that patients face when trying to receive such an important treatment and change their lives for the better. And one problem that has happened with stigmas is some that are associated with Methadone have been placed on Suboxone treatment.
Buprenorphine, or Suboxone, does have a ceiling effect to the medication when taken appropriately, which prevents a euphoric “high” from being obtained. This is not true for that of Methadone and often high doses of Methadone produce many similar effects like that of all the other full opioid agonists such as heroin and oxycodone. Because of how often patients on Methadone take too high of dosages they will be intoxicated on the medication. People in this situation will be seen “nodding off” due to this. And this has been associated with treatment at Suboxone clinics, which is not at all accurate. People believe that people getting assistance with opioid addiction from Suboxone are just getting “high” on a different drug, which is false. This is not saying that there are not individuals that abuse the medication, but the base of the treatment is greatly different.
Another stigma is that of those who are receiving treatment at a Suboxone clinic, which is that they are a slave to the treatment. Many patients on Methadone have to travel daily to the treatment facility to receive their medications. Many Methadone treatment facilities will be seen with long lines of patients out the building waiting on their medication. This is not true for any quality Suboxone clinic, such as that of Recover Clarity. And with telehealth, your treatment is completely private to you with the use of online Suboxone treatment. Also, with the breaking the cycle of addiction, breaking the behaviors is important, such as with stopping the travel to receive medication which would be indicative of that of active addiction.