Written by:

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

June 11th, 2025

Methadone Addiction | Signs, Symptoms & Effects

Methadone is commonly used in opioid addiction treatment to help people break free from heroin or strong prescription painkillers. For many, it can be a literal lifesaver—reducing cravings, easing detox, and providing stability in early recovery. But if not carefully managed, methadone can quietly take over your life in the same way as the drugs it was meant to replace. Methadone addiction can feel like a frustrating setback, as though you’re right back at square one. But by understanding how methadone addiction develops and how to overcome it, you can take the first steps toward real, lasting recovery.

Methadone addiction - bottle of methadone

What is methadone?

Methadone is a long-acting opioid that is mostly used to help people recover from heroin or opioid painkiller addiction. When your body gets used to opioids, stopping suddenly can be a shock to the system. Methadone helps by stepping in as a kind of stabiliser during drug detox, satisfying your body’s need for opioids without causing extreme highs and lows. You only need to take it once a day, giving you the time and space to work on recovery without the chaos of constant withdrawal. Over time, the dose is slowly reduced under medical monitoring so you can eventually stop using opioids altogether.

What is methadone addiction?

Relying on methadone to escape opioid addiction can be life-changing but it is possible to become dependent on the very drug that was supposed to help you heal. At its core, methadone addiction means you have become completely reliant on the medication and can’t stop even though it is harming you.

It’s a tough place to be, especially as you likely started taking methadone to help you get off other opioids. While methadone can be effective as a replacement, you can start to feel like you can never live without it, especially if you are scared of falling back into old habits.

Methadone addiction also has a strong physical side to it, with withdrawal symptoms that are ironically similar to those for heroin and other drugs that methadone is supposed to help with. That is why recovery from methadone addiction needs to be slow, steady and supported by medical professionals.

Methadone UK protocols

There are more than 250,000 people with a daily methadone prescription. It is only available through a licensed medical professional. Dosage is decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the severity of the addiction but you will usually start with a single daily dose of 10mg to 30mg. This is often increased to a regular 60mg to 120mg dose with a view to ultimately stopping altogether. Methadone is a Class A drug in the UK with heavy legal penalties for supply, use and manufacturing.

Methadone addiction symptoms to look out for

When you are taking methadone as part of treatment, it’s important to stay aware of the signs that things might be slipping in the wrong direction. These symptoms of methadone addiction can creep in slowly, so here’s what to look out for:

Your usual methadone dose isn’t working anymore, so you have increased it without speaking to your doctor.
You are getting cravings for methadone that feel eerily similar to cravings from before.
You are spending all your time thinking about your next dose or panicking when you don’t have access to methadone.
Other parts of your life, like your job, family and friendships, are starting to fall apart.
You feel shaky, anxious or unwell when you miss a methadone dose or try to stop.
Even though you see these problems clearly, you keep using methadone anyway.

These signs don’t mean you’ve failed. They just mean your body and mind might be asking for a change in direction, which rehab treatment can help you with.

Why is methadone addictive?

Methadone addiction is rarely about just one thing and is usually a mix of emotional struggles, past trauma and how your brain reacts to the drug. Here are some common causes that might lead you to become addicted to methadone:

Replacing one drug with another

People on methadone usually have a history with heroin or other opioids. If that original addiction isn’t treated at its root, methadone can become the next crutch.

How methadone affects your brain

Methadone might not give you a big rush but it still taps into the same brain pathways that make opioids feel rewarding. That calming effect can be enough to start chasing more frequent or higher doses.

Using methadone for too long

The longer you take methadone, the more your body and brain get used to it. That’s why long-term use needs careful supervision and why therapy is so important to deal with what’s going on underneath the surface.

Fear of going back to heroin or other opioids

Some people stay on methadone because they’re terrified of relapsing if they stop. That fear, while understandable, can make it hard ever to imagine life without some kind of drug.

Unaddressed mental health issues

Many people use opioids to hide anxiety, depression or unresolved trauma. If those issues are still there when methadone is introduced, the drug can start to feel like the only thing keeping it all together.

What harm do methadone abuse and addiction cause?

The risks of methadone abuse and addiction can be enormous and even life-threatening. Here are some of the most important dangers to watch for:

Methadone overdose

Methadone builds up in your system over time and taking too much, often accidentally, can lead to methadone overdose. There are many serious methadone overdose symptoms but the most dangerous result is your breathing slowing down so much that your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen. This can cause coma, brain damage and death.

Physical health toll

Long-term methadone abuse can also be very hard on your body. It can damage your liver and kidneys, affect your digestion and make breathing more difficult, especially if you are taking methadone in large amounts or mixing it with other substances. Constipation is also common and severe cases may require medical treatment.

Mental health difficulties

Methadone addiction can seriously harm your mind, causing you to become erratic, depressed and anxious. These can be new conditions or if you’re already struggling emotionally, the toll of methadone addiction can exacerbate the existing problems.

Serious infections

Using dirty or used needles to inject methadone puts you at high risk for serious infections like hepatitis or HIV.

Backsliding into other opioids

If your methadone runs out or stops working, there is a real danger of turning back to heroin or other street drugs.

What does treatment for methadone addiction involve?

At Linwood House, we guide you through three clear stages of methadone addiction treatment. This starts with a medical detox to help your body safely adjust, keeping you comfortable and supported while the withdrawal symptoms pass.

Once your body is stabilised, rehab then focuses on the emotional side of things. Through a range of therapies, we will help you dig into why methadone became so central to your life, especially if it was part of your recovery from another opioid.

Finally, once you’ve done the hard work of rehab, our aftercare programme steps in to help you stay focused and manage any emerging mental health and addiction challenges. With ongoing support, relapse prevention strategies and someone always there to talk to, you’ll have what you need to stay strong in recovery.

Seek help for methadone addiction today

Methadone might have helped in the beginning but if it’s now controlling your life, it’s time to take that control back. At Linwood House, we offer expert care, compassion and a clear plan to help you find freedom from methadone addiction. Contact us today, and we’ll help you start a whole new life.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between methadone and Physeptone?

Methadone and Physeptone are the same medication, but “Physeptone” is a brand name that is often used in the UK, while “methadone” is the generic term.

Is methadone used for pain management?

Yes, methadone can be prescribed for pain, especially chronic or severe pain that isn’t responding well to other medications. It is a powerful opioid, so it works by changing the way your brain and nervous system respond to pain signals. That said, it is most commonly known in the UK for its role in opioid addiction recovery with other medications preferred for pain management.

Is methadone illegal to use if not prescribed?

Yes, using methadone without a prescription is illegal in the UK. It is a controlled Class A drug, which means it’s only legal if it’s been prescribed to you by a medical professional. Taking methadone without supervision can be dangerous and even life-threatening and you can face prison for illegal use, supply or production.

(Click here to see works cited)

NCBI. “Methadone maintenance treatment – Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310658/. Accessed 17 April 2025.
Durrani, Mehnoor, and Kamna Bansal. “Methadone – StatPearls.” NCBI, 11 January 2024, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562216/. Accessed 17 April 2025.
NHS. “Methadone – medicine used to treat heroin dependence.” NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/methadone/. Accessed 17 April 2025.
UK-Rehab. “Opiates – Addiction To Methadone Information | UK Rehab.” UK-Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/opiate-addiction/methadone/. Accessed 17 April 2025.
SAMHSA. “What is Methadone?” SAMHSA, 28 March 2024, https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/methadone. Accessed 17 April 2025.