Methadone treatment for opioid addiction can be a life-saving method towards recovery. However, methadone is not without its risks. Like most drugs, methadone is most dangerous when being abused. If taking methadone under the orders of a medical professional and following the correct dosages and instructions, methadone treatment should be safe.

Short term methadone use can cause problems such as nausea, sweating, itchy skin, and shallow breathing. If experiencing difficulty breathing or feeling faint it is important to contact a medical professional. A bad reaction to methadone can also cause chest pain and an elevated heart rate that could be dangerous to people with cardiac issues. People with heart disease or lung disease should never use methadone as a treatment option.

Methadone can have bad reactions to other drugs as well. If using methadone it is best to avoid all other drugs unless specified by a medical professional. It is vital to not drink alcohol or take any other narcotics while using methadone. Even drugs that are valid forms of medical treatment, such as some antidepressants and sleeping medication, can be dangerous when combined with methadone.
When abused on the street, methadone is often injected into the user’s veins. As with any IV drug, the use of shared dirty needles greatly increases the risk of contracting bloodborne diseases, such as HIV or hepatitis.

Methadone is an addictive drug and those who use it for opioid addiction treatment are at especially high risk due to their history of opioid addiction. The United States government considers methadone to be a Schedule II drug. This means while it holds a valid medical use it should also be considered at high risk to be abused.