Methadone and Depression: Understanding the Complex Relationship

During methadone treatment, your Alcohol Use Disorder body adjusts to different amounts of opioids in its system. Some patients go through withdrawal symptoms during recovery such as sweating, restlessness, insomnia and anxiety. If you have unexplained anxiety while you take methadone, your doctor may need to change the amount you take.

Contact Vertava Health

Quality assessment was conducted by one reviewer and checked for accuracy by a second reviewer. Then, abstracts and full texts were screened against the inclusion criteria (see Figure 1 for screening flow; see Supplementary Data S4 for inclusion and exclusion criteria). Screening at the abstract and full-text stages was undertaken independently by two researchers.

Respiratory

  • By fostering a supportive environment, providing comprehensive care, and maintaining open communication between patients and healthcare providers, we can improve outcomes and offer hope for those struggling with this dual challenge.
  • Buprenorphine is another opioid medication that is used to treat opioid use disorder.
  • It’s worth noting that other medications used in opioid addiction treatment, such as buprenorphine, may also have potential benefits for depression.
  • For instance, you can read about Suboxone side effects to understand how they compare to methadone.
  • Screening at the abstract and full-text stages was undertaken independently by two researchers.
  • However, each medication comes with its own set of considerations, and understanding Suboxone side effects is equally important.

Remember to talk to your addiction clinic before making any changes in your treatment. Patients should be encouraged to discuss any side effects or mood changes with their healthcare providers promptly. There are numerous resources available for further support and information, including addiction specialists, mental health professionals, and support groups for individuals undergoing methadone treatment.

For instance, you can read about Suboxone side effects to understand how they compare to methadone. One of the more complex aspects of methadone treatment is its relationship with depression. Many patients and healthcare providers wonder, “Does methadone cause depression? ” The answer isn’t straightforward, as the relationship between methadone and depression is multifaceted. It’s worth noting that some medications used in opioid addiction treatment, such as buprenorphine, may have antidepressant properties and could potentially address both issues simultaneously.

This medicine can cause some serious health issues

  • Its effects are slower than those of other strong painkillers like morphine.
  • There have been very few studies comparing the efficacy of methadone maintenance therapy and other common treatments, including non-pharmacological treatments, on the psychiatric disorders of the population of drug abusers.
  • In conclusion, while methadone can be an effective treatment for chronic pain and opioid addiction, it’s crucial to approach its use with a comprehensive understanding of potential side effects, including the risk of depression.

Mechanisms that might mediate the relationship between opioid use and poorer mental health could include stigma and isolation, declining physical health, and a general decline in quality of life 32, 33. These mechanisms are prevalent in persons with chronic pain and persons who are opioid dependent. Comorbid mental health https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drink-alcohol-during-pregnancy/ and substance use disorders are major risk factors for suicide and self-harm attempts 37, which occur at an almost eight times higher rate among people who use illicit opioids 38.

methadone withdrawal symptoms

By understanding this connection and implementing comprehensive treatment approaches, individuals can effectively manage both their methadone treatment and depressive symptoms. With proper care, support, and perseverance, it is possible to achieve successful outcomes and improved quality of life. The definition of opioid use across individual studies was variable and at times ambiguous. The literature would benefit from clearer reporting on the form of the opioid use in studies and an attempt at standardization of this terminology. We focused in this review on mood and anxiety disorders, but opioid use could be a factor in the development or exacerbation of other mental health disorders or more specific depressive or anxious symptomatology than gross diagnostic category.

Most participants were in their mid-twenties, with minimal previous exposure to stimulants (Table 1). For a more in-depth look at this topic, you can read about the complex relationship between methadone and depression. Call your doctor or go to the ER if a breastfeeding infant shows unusual sleepiness, weakness, or breathing problems. When you’re ready to wean your baby off breast milk, talk to your doctor about how to do it slowly and safely to avoid methadone withdrawal.

Does methadone change your mood

Where can people get methadone treatment?

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Along with its needed effects, methadone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Only approved hospitals and pharmacies can dispense oral methadone for the treatment of narcotic addiction. If you need more information or have additional questions, we are only a phone call away. This dryness can be bothersome and might increase the risk of dental issues if not appropriately managed.

  • We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
  • Opioid use disorder is a complex, treatable chronic medical condition from which people can recover.
  • Moreover, before and after the intervention, with increasing year of study, the average scores of depression decrease, which may be due to the development of treatment and diagnostic methods for depression in recent years.
  • Opioids addiction and misuse are among the major problems in the world today.
  • Like methadone, buprenorphine can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing intense feelings of pleasure and intoxication in people who have opioid use disorder.
  • Comorbid mental health and substance use disorders are major risk factors for suicide and self-harm attempts 37, which occur at an almost eight times higher rate among people who use illicit opioids 38.

How to Overcome Loneliness During Addiction Recovery

  • The potential side effects of methadone include nausea, runny nose, constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, and respiratory issues, though experiences may vary among individuals.
  • We reviewed longitudinal studies that examined the incidence and prevalence of mood and anxiety symptoms after the use of prescription opioids.

Depression is characterized by symptoms such as helplessness and hinders the cessation of addiction and the use of available coping resources. However, the results of some studies suggest that treatment of addiction-related mood disorders may decrease the onset and recurrence 35. These articles were obtained based on PRISMA statement and the initial article search process, removal of duplicate articles, review of articles in terms of relevance, as well as quality evaluation and finally final extraction of articles. Without the euphoric “high” which usually fosters addiction, many people can successfully use methadone in addiction recovery.

Symptom Studies

Adjustments for multiple comparisons were made using the Benjamani–Hochberg method with a false discovery rate of 5%. Similar correlational analyses were conducted with effects of MA on neural activation and reaction times. MAT programs at BAART Programs involve medication, counseling and therapy that account for all aspects of your health.