Methadone Addiction Treatment | Methadone Detox, Methadone Rehab and Aftercare
At Recovery Lighthouse, our methadone addiction treatment provides a calm, restorative space where you can safely begin your journey to recovery from methadone addiction. We focus on helping you reduce your dependency, understand what led you here and rebuild a life that feels genuinely free again.
What is methadone rehab?
Methadone rehab is a structured, supportive rehab programme that helps you move on from the drug that was once meant to help you move forward. Designed as a replacement for stronger opioids like heroin, methadone can be life-changing when used as part of treatment. But when the plan to eventually come off it fades, methadone can become the very thing keeping you stuck.
Do I need treatment for methadone?
Recognising that methadone has become a problem can be complicated. You may have taken it under medical guidance, perhaps through an opioid replacement programme and for a while, it helped. But when the structure around that programme loosens, it is easy to slip into maintenance rather than progress.
You may need methadone treatment if:
- You have been taking methadone longer than intended without a clear plan to stop
- You feel uneasy or unwell when you try to reduce your dose
- You have come to rely on methadone emotionally as well as physically
- You worry about coping without it or fear what might happen if you stop
- You feel trapped in a routine that no longer feels like recovery
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Many people reach a point where methadone feels like both the solution and the problem. Rehab helps you find a way out of that loop.
Choosing the best rehab for your needs is an important first step towards recovery.
What happens during methadone rehab?
At Recovery Lighthouse, we understand how difficult it can be to let go of the very thing that helped you overcome a life-threatening addiction. That’s why our methadone addiction treatment programme, like with our other opioid addiction treatment programmes, is designed to make that process steady, safe and supportive from start to finish. Each stage builds on the last, guiding you through detox, therapy and aftercare at a pace that works for you.
Assessment
After being admitted into Recovery Lighthouse, everything starts with understanding your situation. During assessment, we look at your methadone use, your health, any co-occurring issues and your wider emotional state. This helps us shape a plan that fits your needs. If you are taking other substances or managing chronic pain, we take that into account. You are treated as a person, not a checklist.
Methadone detox
Methadone detox is the stage where your body begins to adjust to life without the drug. Because methadone is a long-acting opioid, withdrawal tends to arrive later but lasts longer than most opioids.
Symptoms can include:
- Restlessness
- Muscle pain
- Chills, sweating
- Fatigue
- Stomach upset and nausea
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Cravings
- Disrupted sleep
- Low mood
At Recovery Lighthouse, detox is carried out gradually for prescription drug rehab programmes, with careful tapering and consistent monitoring. Our staff check in regularly and make small adjustments to keep you comfortable. You will never be expected to push through on your own, and every part of the process is managed with care so that you can move forward safely and steadily.
The methadone withdrawal timeline
While every person’s experience is unique, most people move through three main stages during methadone withdrawal.
- Days 1–3: Early withdrawal begins slowly, and you may notice anxiety and mild physical discomfort. At Recovery Lighthouse, you are supported through these first changes, helping your body adjust without fear.
- Days 4–10: This is where symptoms reach their peak. Muscle aches, stomach cramps, sweating and cravings can make this period difficult. We provide continuous monitoring and emotional reassurance to keep you stable.
- Days 11–21: Around this time is when physical symptoms start to fade, but sleep issues and emotional lows may remain. Therapy helps you manage this stage and maintain progress without relapse.
Therapy and emotional recovery
Once your body begins to stabilise, therapy becomes the focus. This part of treatment helps you understand what has kept methadone in your life and what needs to change for you to let it go. For many, methadone has come to symbolise security, control or even safety and unravelling that attachment takes time and compassion.
Therapy at Recovery Lighthouse includes:
- One-to-one counselling to explore the personal experiences tied to your addiction
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to identify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) to improve emotional regulation
- Group therapy to build connection and perspective
- Holistic sessions such as yoga, mindfulness and art to restore balance in body and mind
These approaches work together to rebuild you as a whole and help to develop tools that last long after rehab ends.
Aftercare and continued support
Once treatment finishes, recovery still continues. Leaving rehab can bring feelings of uncertainty, which is why Recovery Lighthouse provides a full year of aftercare to everyone completing methadone treatment. You will have access to weekly support groups, relapse prevention workshops and ongoing contact with a community that understands what you have been through. Aftercare is your bridge between structured rehab and everyday life.
Why home methadone detox can be unsafe
Many people feel as though they can taper off methadone at home by cutting down slowly. It might sound practical, but methadone withdrawal is unpredictable. Because of its long half-life, symptoms can build and then hit with full force days later. When that happens, it is easy to feel like returning to methadone is the only answer.
The main risks of home detox include:
- Severe withdrawal symptoms that feel unmanageable
- Unstable dosing that leads to relapse or overdose
- Sleep deprivation and emotional exhaustion
- Anxiety and panic without professional reassurance
- Physical complications that go unnoticed initially
In a residential setting, these risks are controlled with staff on hand to adjust your plan (if need be) and support you through both the physical and emotional effects of detox. You are not left to guess what is normal or safe.
Take the next step
If methadone has become part of your everyday life and you are unsure how to move forward, it is time to ask for help. At Recovery Lighthouse, we will guide you through detox safely, help you understand what led you here and stand by you as you rebuild your life. Recovery is not rushed or forced; it unfolds at your pace with people who care about your outcome.
Reach out to us today. Even if you are uncertain, starting the conversation can begin to change everything. We’re ready and waiting for your call.
Methadone addiction does not need to control your life. Reach out for us today to find out how you can take your life back from Methadone.