Suboxone versus Methadone Rehab Centers: Is there a difference?

Many people think opiate treatments are all the same. The two major drugs on the market for preventing opiate withdrawal are methadone and Suboxone. These are two very different drugs and are never prescribed together. There are also subtle differences between the rehab centers that handle Suboxone and methadone, although some centers handle both. Due to the nature of the drugs, the way people use them, and the risks involved the centers themselves have their own rules and ways of distribution.

Methadone Rehab Facilities

Methadone rehab facilities tend to be very strict in how they control the outflow of methadone in their care. Methadone is a dangerous drug in its own right with a very large potential for abuse. This means when you receive your methadone does you are closely monitored by staff for adverse reactions and other conditions.

Most methadone clinics have a place to queue up for your dose and a place to be after you have had your dose. Some inpatient clinics monitor you carefully until your next dose. This level of security is to protect the methadone user from overdose and the methadone for abuse.

Suboxone Rehab Facilities

Suboxone has less potential for abuse than methadone.

Although you can start Suboxone treatment in an inpatient facility, most Suboxone treatment is started on an outpatient basis. Because there is less potential for addiction and abuse, Suboxone is more freely given to opiate addicts. This means they might only visit the clinic once per week or once per month.

The first couple of doses of Suboxone might be closely monitored but subsequent doses are usually freely given. This difference is due to the overall nature of the drug.

Which is more Effective?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methadone given under controlled conditions is more effective than Suboxone. This is mainly due to its ability to absolutely block the opiate receptors in the brain as well as the clients ability to feel some of the opiate high they crave. It is important to note that methadone is considerably more addictive than Suboxone. This is why methadone clinics are stricter when it comes to dosage administration, monitoring, program requirements, and aftercare.

These examples are not always typical, there are methadone clinics that you just pick up your dose and go and there are Suboxone clinics that monitor you carefully. The differences in rehab techniques are due to the differences in the drugs themselves. Both drugs work but work differently and have different potentials for abuse.

Making the choice between Suboxone and methadone depends on the conditions you are in as well as your doctors opinion on the severity of addiction. Methadone and Suboxone do not work for everyone and it is possible to follow methadone therapy with Suboxone therapy as part of a tapering program for either drug.

For more information on rehab facilities that provide Suboxone or those that provide methadone, call us at 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) . We can help you with treatment options including buprenorphine, Suboxone, and methadone rehab centers.