What Are The Withdrawal Effects Of Methadone?

Methadone is pain-reliever belonging to the class of drugs known as opiates. While opiates have the potential for abuse, proper medical supervision and prescription management can greatly reduce the risk of addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. PubMed Health states that methadone is also used to treat the withdrawal symptoms experienced by opiate-addicted individuals who have stopped using other drugs such as heroin. Methadone withdrawal is often less severe than withdrawal from other commonly abused opiates because it takes longer for the body to metabolize it, according to "Essential Psychopharmacology."

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Opiate drugs tend to inhibit the muscle contractions of the gut. As a result, withdrawal from methadone or other opiate drugs can cause an increase in gastrointestinal motility, states "The Clinical Manual of Addiction Psychopharmacology." According to MedLine Plus, this may result in abdominal pain and cramping, as well as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Autonomic Nervous System Symptoms

"Essential Psychopharmacology" explains that opiate drugs such as methadone function to dull the activity of the autonomic nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system responsible for mediating the "fight or flight" reactions of the body in response to stress or threats. Addiction to drugs leads to tolerance, whereby the nervous system adapts to recognize the presence of an addictive substance as a normal condition. As a result, when the addictive substance is withdrawn, the autonomic nervous system becomes hyper-responsive. According to MedLine Plus, symptoms associated with this include watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, insomnia, racing heart, dilated pupils and goosebumps.

Psychological-Emotional Symptoms

Overcoming methadone dependence is a difficult task, emotionally and physically. Furthermore, the physical withdrawal symptoms experienced during drug detoxification can enhance psychological symptoms. "The Clinical Manual of Addiction Psychopharamacology" states that methadone and opiate withdrawal is associated with feelings of anxiety and agitation.