When I was a counselor at a methadone clinic, many patients entering treatment would ask me, “does methadone get you high?” To which I would reply, “yes and no.” There are several factors which will determine whether or not methadone will produce a methadone high.
This article will teach you everything there is to know about the methadone high and how to stay safe taking prescribed methadone. You will also learn how taking certain drugs can increase the chances of getting high on methadone, and why this can be dangerous.
Can Methadone get you High?
Yes. Methadone can definitely get you high. However, it’s not intended to do so. While taking a therapeutic dose, methadone does not produce a high. A therapeutic dose can be described as the precise amount that is needed to eliminate opioid withdrawal symptoms and decrease cravings. This is different from person to person.
Some people can achieve this with 40mg, while others may need 100mg and up. Also, if the person taking methadone does not have a tolerance to opioids, they can get high on a very small amount. This is very dangerous because it’s easy to overdose.
Methadone also has a long half-life. Half-life refers to the time required for the concentration of the drug to reach half of it’s original value. This means that the effects of methadone come on gradually. It does not hit you quickly like opioids with a short half-life. Some opioids with a short half-life are: oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, morhphine, etc.
So can methadone get you high?
Under normal circumstances, no. However, many individuals get high as a kite on methadone.
Here are some of the ways this can happen:
- Taking more methadone than is necessary to achieve the therapeutic benefits
- Taking methadone in combination with benzodiazepines such as: Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan etc.
- Taking methadone in combination with alcohol
- Taking methadone in combination with other opioids
- Taking methadone with illicit drugs
- The person taking methadone does not have a tolerance to opioids
Does Methadone get you high if you don’t have a Tolerance?
Getting high on methadone is possible if you don’t have an opioid tolerance. Methadone is for people that have a serious addiction to opiates.
Methadone should only be taken under two circumstances:
- When the person has a prescription from their doctor
- When they attend a methadone clinic
Note: Methadone is a very powerful drug and must not be taken for recreational use. People who take methadone without a prescription or opioid tolerance are at a higher risk for overdose.
Does Methadone get you High if you Mix it with Benzos?
The chances of getting high off methadone is increased if it’s taken with benzodiazepines, commonly referred to as benzos. Benzos refer to CNS depressant drugs such as: Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan etc. Taking benzos with methadone produces a synergistic effect. This is because methadone is also a CNS depressant. The combination of these two drugs can easily lead to a strong methadone high, and in severe cases, death due to respiratory failure.
Since methadone and benzos both slow your breathing down a great deal, their combination can be fatal. This is the number one reason a person can die taking methadone. However, I will add that I had many patients on methadone that were prescribed benzos for severe anxiety. If benzos and methadone are taken together while being prescribed and monitored by your doctor, it can be safe.
Does Methadone get you High if you Mix it with Alcohol?
Getting high on methadone is possible if you take it in combination with alcohol. Alcohol is also a CNS depressant. Alcohol should never be consumed while taking methadone. This can lead to methadone high, overdose and death.
Does Methadone get you High if you Mix it with other Opiates?
Getting high off methadone is sometimes possible if taken with other opiates. However, this usually isn’t the case. Methadone is intended to block out the effects of other opiates. This is an interesting topic though. While working as counselor at a methadone clinic I saw patients have different reactions. Some patients could still get high on opiates while taking methadone. But many patients were not able to get high on opiates while taking methadone.
Patients on a lower dose of methadone had an easier time getting high using other opiates. Patients on higher doses were often unable to do this, much to their disappointment. Taking methadone with other opiates should always be avoided. It can lead to methadone high, overdose and death.
Does Methadone get you High if you Mix it with Illicit Drugs?
Getting high on methadone is also possible when it’s taken with illicit drugs. Cocaine, meth, PCP, and other illicit drugs can increase the methadone high.
Methadone High and what it Feels Like
Methadone high can produce the following effects:
- Relaxation
- Euphoria
- Pain relief
- Nodding out
- Sweating
- Slow breathing
- Drowsiness or energy (some people have this opposite effect)
- Difficulty or inability to urinate
Getting High off Methadone
Getting high off methadone should always be avoided. It’s simply not worth the risk. Many people have died as a result of trying to get high on methadone. Methadone can also be an amazing medication when used correctly. Patients who take a therapeutic dose under the supervision of a doctor can start the road to opiate recovery.
So there you have it…..does methadone get you high?
Yes…and No! Be safe.
I take Methadone for a completely different reason. I was born with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It has progressively gotten worse and worse and I am in extreme pain 24/7/365. I’ve been taking methadone for well over 10 years along with Norco for break through pain. I always wondered why my Norco worked better alone than with the Methadone. Now I know. I’ve never taken any of my meds to get high. I don’t know if the rest of you are having problems, but the insurance companies are capping methadone at 4 pills per day and Norco at 3. I was taking 5 methadone per day so now I have to just cope with more pain. It pisses me off that the government is “cracking down” on my meds. I get that there is an epidemic of opioid abuse, but they need better controls than just a blanket ban. It’s getting where doctors are afraid to write Rx for the drug because they too are being harassed by dea. I don’t know what the solution is, but it shouldn’t negatively affect ones quality of life.
Oh I am with you all the way! I have had CIDP a rare neurological disorder since I was 44 (26 years ago.) Like you, I have never felt anything that I would consider a high while using methadone. I have been using it for probably 13 years. My insurance company now he’s cutting me to half of what I have been using. After doing a lot of reading on the Internet I understand what they are tryiing to do with the “Opiate Problem” however people like us don’t have a good option except to remain in extreme pain. I’m hoping my next appeal will make a difference since we were denied it at first. I agree with everything you said about the need for pain relief and the current problems and we are facing with this “mandate about methadone restriction. Thanks so much for writing because I see that someone else has the same problem.
I’m with you! I’ve had 3 back surgeries and it’s pretty bad that Peugeot has acute pain is punished because of a bunch of pill heads taking the to get high and the little old lady’s selling them!!! I’m sick of it!!
I’ve been struggling with addiction for about fifteen years off and on started with a bad car accident was put on 40 mgs 5 times a day of oxycontin for 4 years tried to stop then realized I was addicted so I tried methadone and it changed my life no more doing stupid stuff stealing, blowing pay checks just stuff I as a person would never do the drugs definitely take over your whole life make you do things you normally would never do methadone saved my life and gave me purpose again it’s a life saver but I definitely think you should stay on as low an amount as possible I’m on 105 mgs now was on 300 at one point and that is way to much definitely recommend being on a lower amount please I can’t stress this enough it can really help you if you do it right!!
Had a new job working on equipment and vehicles and was let go because I told the dr I was taking methadone he then told my employee and they let me go negative urine test but they say si,ce I drive the service truck I can’t work there crazy I’ve been driving for over a 1000 miles a week for almost a year now owning my own route just can’t sit in truck that much it hurts to bad so decided to change jobs and they let me go for this telling the truth and I take a very small dose about 20 mg daily at night 10mg tablet and usually 10 mg in morning I do,t get a high or buzz it does help with the bad pain I wish they would change the law it doesn’t make since
Methadone although inconvenient to get up and drive to clinic eberyday, is only program kee ping me off opiates that get me high. Thus I don’t steal meds from people, drive high, lie to doctors etc.
No rehabs, staying clean, detox, so box one have worked. It helps with my back pain (25 yrs of firefighting), works with dopamine receptors so I’m not depressed off opiates, and I’m up early ready to start my day….it may not be cutting edge treatment, but hey it works fr this 30+ yrs opiate user.
I have been on methadone for 12 years. I started at a methadone clinic after prescription meds and a number of deaths in my family. My doctor prescribes me a low dose now. I have severe ptsd and anxiety and am on benzos. The clinic kept upping my dose to try to get me off benzos in 2005. That just made it worse. 160 mg a day was dangerous and I couldn’t function. I could not drive safely so I started using cocaine. Big mistake and I decreased to 30 mg . I feel this dose is appropriate and my doctor prescribes this for pain and its easier on the liver. My immune system is very poor and I have had Tuberculosis, strep pneumonia and currently interstitial pneumonia in an 18 month period. Steroids are out of the question due to my poor immune system. Therefore I am not a candidate for pain management. Studies show that high levels of painkillers create toxicity in the body. I agree with that. My advice is to stay on a low dose of methadone. People create more pain on higher levels of narcotics. Methadone is a terrible withdrawal and I would advise people who take it not to use recreationally.
This seemed like it was dead on correct as a person who has been on methadone for 14 months and before that on OxyContin for 3 years and tabs and Percs for years before that . There is so much mixed literature out there on the topic of methadone it is refreshing to see someone get it right . Methadone is dangerous , but used correctly it is a helpful tool to get someone off of Opietes if done correctly.
Be safe people !!
Hi. Thank you for just being positive & at least giving me hope for my sibbling.
I cant give my name but can allow my email.
Reason: my sibbling cant know i am reaching out to someone.
Having known my sibbling has used all kinds of drugs to get through life for the last 15 yrs. Struggled with debt from drug use plus put me in big debt he would be & is embarressed. About to retire but with half my retirement savings gone supporting not knowing that methadone is now their only option to help see the light for my sibbling to survive. I never knew that there was an addiction of opiads until 2 wks ago. I was always told that the money i lent was to pay creditors.
It vary well may have went to a creditors but not the kind that just call you and are rude if you get my drift i was a fentanil user for 4 yrs with the last 2 yrs having a 400$ a day habbit i was the drug i was not the man i truly am if your fam is as bad as i was its important to know well he or she is using its not them it is the drug i lost my company my wife and kids 500k in cars and more in savings and when i ran out of that i stold money from my grany my sons piggy bank i was a dirt bag but till that started i would never steel of anyone it changes you please dont give up on them but dont give them money the only way to quit is to hkt rock bottom have nothing left and get sober and look at all the hurt and thing you have done and hate it so bad u will never use again im on methadone now and live a good life again but looking back methadone was a bad choice off reg opiats withdrawl only lasts five days of pain and being so sick then its over but methadone your painfully sick for min15 days and max of a month suboxone is better to come off sorry for the spelling as im no good at it
What to I do when none of the doctors will help with pain, I to am a fentynal user or anything to help with the pain, I had a hip replacement 3 yrs ago, it was my third surgery on that hip before the doctors decided to replace it, however I live in pain everyday and don’t know what to do… Do you have any advice with these new restrictions on medications doctors are very reluctant to help????
I wrote an article on things that work for pain in many cases. Here it is for you to check out:
16 Epic Natural Painkillers To Use Instead Of Opiates>>
Awesome advice.Congrats on ur Sobriety!! Stay strong 💪