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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Alcohol Consumption While On Methadone Affect A Drug Test Report?

My daughter is on a methadone program. 2 times now, she has had her drink then upon leaving the clinic was approached to give a saliva test for CPS reasons. Both tests showed extremely high amounts of methadone. First reading 2 weeks ago was 1498ng/ml and today was showing 13,000! Would the fact she just had her dose moments before skew the results that badly?
Fri, 17 Aug 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Methadone is an opioid medication used for opioid maintenance therapy, so as to help with tapering in people with opioid dependence, and for pain. Interaction between methadone and alcohol is found to be moderate.
It is advised not use alcohol while receiving treatment with methadone. It may increase nervous system side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, and impairment in thinking and judgment. Also it can cause rapid release of the drug, resulting in high blood levels that may be potentially lethal. With such possibilities of its effect, alcohol could have resulted in increased levels in saliva test.

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Does Alcohol Consumption While On Methadone Affect A Drug Test Report?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Methadone is an opioid medication used for opioid maintenance therapy, so as to help with tapering in people with opioid dependence, and for pain. Interaction between methadone and alcohol is found to be moderate. It is advised not use alcohol while receiving treatment with methadone. It may increase nervous system side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, and impairment in thinking and judgment. Also it can cause rapid release of the drug, resulting in high blood levels that may be potentially lethal. With such possibilities of its effect, alcohol could have resulted in increased levels in saliva test. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.