Deciding to start methadone treatment is a significant and hopeful step toward rebuilding your life. But the unknown can feel daunting. What will that first day feel like? What about the first week? Understanding the process can reduce anxiety and help you prepare for the beginning of your recovery journey.
At Arrow Medical, we’ve guided thousands of patients through their first week of treatment. We believe in being transparent and supportive, ensuring you know exactly what to expect. This guide walks you through a typical first week on methadone at our clinics.
Day 1: Your First Dose and Initial Assessment
The most important thing to know is that you don’t need an appointment at Arrow Medical. You can walk into any of our locations, like our methadone clinics in Barrie, whenever you’re ready.
What to Expect:
- A Compassionate Welcome: Our staff will greet you with respect and understanding. There is no judgment here.
- Medical Assessment: You will meet with a specialized addiction medicine doctor. They will ask about your substance use history, health conditions, and what you hope to achieve. This is a confidential, safe conversation.
- Your First Dose: Based on your assessment, the doctor will prescribe a starting dose of methadone. Starting doses are low to ensure your safety as your body adjusts to the medication.
- Feeling Relief: Methadone begins working within a few hours. Many people report feeling relief from the worst of their withdrawal symptoms after their first dose. You might not feel “perfect,” but you should start to feel more comfortable.
- Information and Planning: You’ll be given information about daily visits, clinic hours, and what to do if you have questions.
Your first day is about getting you started on a path to stability, safely and comfortably.
Days 2-7: Stabilization and Dose Adjustments
The first week of methadone treatment is known as the stabilization phase or titration period. Your body is adjusting to the medication, and your doctor is working to find the right dose for you.
Daily Clinic Visits:
You will need to visit the clinic daily to receive your dose. This is a crucial safety measure. It allows our medical team to monitor how you’re feeling and make small, necessary adjustments to your dose.
Finding Your “Holding Dose”:
- How are you feeling? Every day, our team will ask you questions about withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and side effects. Be honest in your answers—this is how we help you.
- Slow and Steady: Your doctor will likely increase your dose gradually every few days. This careful process is the safest way to find your “holding dose” or “stable dose”—the amount of methadone that keeps you free of withdrawal and cravings for a full 24 hours.
- Avoiding Over-sedation: The goal is for you to feel “normal,” not sedated or high. Gradual increases prevent you from feeling overly tired or unwell.
Common Experiences in the First Week:
- Reduced Withdrawal: You should notice a significant decrease in withdrawal symptoms like body aches, nausea, and anxiety.
- Sleeping Better: As your body stabilizes, many people find their sleep patterns improve dramatically.
- Side Effects: Some people experience side effects like constipation, sweating, or drowsiness. Let your doctor know. Many of these can be managed and often lessened as your body adjusts. The Government of Canada provides good information on what to expect.
- A Sense of Hope: For many, the first week is when they begin to feel a sense of hope and relief. The constant, exhausting cycle of withdrawal and drug-seeking starts to break, freeing up mental and physical energy to think about the future.
Arrow Medical’s Support-Focused Approach
Your first week is more than just about medication. It’s about re-engaging with healthcare in a positive way.
- Holistic Care: If you have other health concerns, like needing hepatitis C treatment, we can address those at the same time.
- Building Trust: We strive to establish a trusting and supportive relationship with you. Our doctors and staff are here to answer your questions and provide support for any positive changes you want to make.
- Patient-Centred: Your treatment plan is yours. As explained in our article on the Science of Addiction, addiction is a health condition, and we treat it with evidence-based medicine tailored to you.
The first week on methadone is the foundation for your long-term recovery. It can be a time of great change and renewed hope. If you’re ready to take the first step, we’re ready to help. Walk into an Arrow Medical clinic today.