How long will I be on Methadone?

When do I start to “taper” my dose?

That is a decision that you and your doctor have to make together.

How much do they drop my dose when they “taper” it?

In general it is about 5mg every three to 14 days.

Can tapering make me go into withdrawal?

Yes. The effects are more pronounced once you are down into the very low doses. If the dose is “tapered” correctly the effects should be very mild. You can still get some aching, insomnia, and lack of appetite. These should pass in about ten to fourteen days.

Will I eventually have to stop taking Methadone?

That decision will have to be made by you and your doctor. If there are no adverse effects to you taking it you never have to stop, unless you want to.

How hard is it to get off Methadone?

It depends on the person and the situation. In general they will reduce your dose in small amounts until you are ready to stop taking it altogether.

Am I still an addict if I’m on Methadone?

Your body has a chemical dependency to opioids and the Methadone reduces the craving and masks the withdrawal symptoms. Your body will continue to have this dependency until your dose is “tapered” to a point where you can stop taking it altogether.

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ACT - Addiction Centre Toronto