Suboxone and Methadone Differences: How They Work, Side Effects, & Effectiveness
Opioid addiction affects millions of people, with fatal drug overdose being the leading cause of unnatural death in Virginia since 2013. You may be one of these millions battling opioid addiction, and finding solutions to recovery can be a challenge; relapse, fear of physical withdrawals, and accessibility can be barriers in preventing you from getting help.
If you’re suffering from opioid addiction but unsure of different treatment options, one method to explore is medication-assisted treatment (MAT), where providers use medication to ease withdrawals and assist in addiction recovery. MAT has been used for over 60 years to treat opioid addiction and prevent overdoses, and it’s a highly successful and effective tool for addiction recovery. At Master Center, we’ve treated thousands of patients since 2016 using MAT, and research shows that many people would benefit from long-term MAT maintenance.
You may have actually heard of MAT; methadone and suboxone are common types, but many don’t really know the differences between these two. Both treatments reduce the cravings for opioids and change the mind’s relationship to drugs, but they work a bit differently.
So, what are the main suboxone and methadone differences, and how can you be sure which is right for you? By knowing these differences, you’ll be able to better understand your treatment options and make an educated decision that’s right for you.
4 Main Suboxone and Methadone Differences
Medications are instrumental in reducing drug overdoses and getting thousands of people on the right path to recovery. However, while methadone and suboxone look to accomplish the same goal of long-term recovery, they go about it in different ways. The main suboxone and methadone differences include:
- Differences in how they affect the brain.
- Differences in level of addictiveness.
- Differences in accessibility.
- Differences in cost and coverage.
1. Differences in Brain Effects
Suboxone is a Partial Opioid Agonist
A controlled substance, suboxone is the brand name for the drug buprenorphine-naloxone, which is a partial opioid agonist. This means that, instead of completely filling the brain’s opioid receptor, the chemical only partially fills it, thus reducing positive feelings and making you feel leveled out during withdrawal. In turn, this “normal” feeling decreases the chances of opioid withdrawal and overdoses. Suboxone eliminates pain and cravings in the brain without replacing them with another high.
Methadone is a Full Opioid Agonist
Methadone (sold under the brand names Dolophine and Methadose) is a full opioid agonist, meaning that it provides a similar euphoria to the high of a drug like heroin by filling in the brain’s opioid receptors. In turn, the brain receives the euphoric feeling from methadone–the same as with opioid use–decreasing the chance for relapse and overdose.
2. Differences in Addictiveness
Suboxone is Less Addictive
This is a crucial part of the suboxone and methadone differences, as suboxone has a lower risk of dependency than methadone. Because suboxone is a partial agonist, the brain doesn’t receive the same level of euphoria and “highness” as opioids; it only gives enough to stabilize you, so that the brain can adjust to life without opioids. As a result, it’s much harder to become addicted to suboxone than methadone.
Methadone is More Addictive
By contrast, as a full agonist, methadone has a much greater chance of dependency. Because it fully fills the brain receptors, it provides a similar “high” to opioids. As a result, instead of stabilizing you, you’re just replacing the source of euphoria at the same level as the opioid you were using. This is a big risk of methadone therapy, and it’s very important to know when deciding on a treatment plan.
3. Differences in Accessibility
Suboxone is More Accessible
Suboxone is typically available at all pharmacies, and all you need is a prescription from your medical provider. The medication usually comes in a tablet form (or a film that dissolves under the tongue) that can be taken orally or dissolved in water.
Additionally, because suboxone is a tablet (or film), you can take the medication at home, making it much easier to access and take. While a professional may want to supervise your initial dosage to observe your body’s reaction, a tablet can be taken home without complications. Proper maintenance of buprenorphine treatment can be easily managed without oversight.
Methadone is Less Accessible
In contrast, methadone is only available from select pharmacies and treatment centers. Methadone treatment is available as an at-home tablet, in a drinkable liquid, or administered at a center in IV form.
Additionally, when you start methadone, the tablet or injection will always be under the close supervision of a licensed medical professional. Oftentimes, each time you take methadone, you’ll have to be under the supervision of a medical professional at a select clinic. Only once you receive a doctor’s permission will you be able to start taking Methadone at home between visits to a clinic.
It’s important to consider whether you’re able to reliably access a clinic to receive methadone treatment, or if an at-home dosage is a better option.
4. Differences in Cost
Suboxone Can Be More Expensive
The average retail price of a prescription Suboxone runs up to $200. However, the generic version of it can cost as little as $25. Keep in mind, also, that these prices will also be adjusted with insurance, so be sure to check in with your insurance company to find out if your insurance covers rehab.
Methadone Can Be Less Expensive
Generally the cheaper option of the two, methadone treatment can be covered by insurance in the right circumstances. In general, Medicare and Medicaid both cover methadone.
However, keep in mind that the cost of methadone also depends on whether you’re receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment. A single weekly dose for an outpatient generally costs around $150, but for those in recovery centers, the price can be much higher, as it’s included as part of a comprehensive program. We encourage you to explore the cost of rehab in our article on the topic, so you can better understand MAT costs.
Is Suboxone or Methadone Better for Drug Addiction?
Suboxone and methadone can both be life-changing treatments for those in need, and whichever is better is up to the discretion of a medical professional. With that said, it’s crucial to know the pros and cons of medication for addiction to help you make an informed decision. There are pros, cons, and side effects of both drugs, so be sure to get a thorough medical consultation to see which is best for your health and recovery.
Side Effects of Suboxone and Methadone
Like any other medication, there are side effects to suboxone and methadone, so be sure to learn all the risks before beginning your treatment.
Side effects of Suboxone:
- Back pain
- Painful tongue
- Vomiting
- Sleepiness
- Blurry vision
Side effects of Methadone:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Poor coordination
- Difficulty with memory and cognition
Your provider will go over these side effects more thoroughly at your appointments. And, as always, call 911 in the event of an overdose.
How to Choose the Right One
When deciding between suboxone, methadone, or any other type of MAT, be sure to do thorough research on all your rehab options and addiction treatment pros and cons. Some good questions to ask yourself can be:
- Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment for my addiction?
- What can I afford, and what does my insurance cover?
- Can I reliably transport to an addiction clinic?
- Do I need more supervision in my treatment?
- Am I comfortable taking medication?
We also recommend calling, emailing, or researching different addiction centers and comparing what they offer. Some clinics offer both methadone and suboxone, while some only offer one type. Others may also incorporate other treatment types like therapy, coaching, or an Intensive Outpatient program (IOP), while some may only offer medication solely for detox and withdrawal management.
Master Center’s suboxone program incorporates MAT into an integrative treatment plan comprised of behavioral therapy and peer recovery coaching, so be open to some of these additional options when deciding.
Getting Started with MAT
Understanding suboxone and methadone differences is a great first step in deciding on a treatment plan for opioid addiction recovery. Master Center doesn’t offer methadone, but we do have specialists trained in using suboxone and other medications to help with your treatment plan. Our medical providers are experts in assessing your treatment needs and getting you on the right path, creating a comprehensive recovery plan tailored for you.
Regardless of whether you decide on suboxone, methadone, or a non-MAT approach, opioid addiction recovery is achievable, and there are dozens of options out there for you; all it takes is some research and confidence to find the right support. If you’re considering opioid addiction treatment, give us a call at 804.332.5950 for a medical consultation to get you started on the path to recovery.
About Master Center
Master Center is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.
Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches.
