As the main opioid addiction treatment, Methadone use is well-known and widespread. But when it comes to drug screen MTD (Methadone) knowledge, many individuals and employers are very sketchy.
I want to get you up to speed in this quick guide. I’m going to focus on how it is found on drug tests, and the implications of that. I will talk about specific MTD drug screens, how Methadone is found via the different types of blood test, and what happens if you test positive for MTD and haven’t declared it.
What Is MTD On A Drug Test?
When it comes to what is MTD on a drug test, the answer is obviously Methadone.
Methadone is a widely used, long-acting opiate agonist medication. It’s actually been around since World War II, and was used as a painkiller. Nowadays though, it’s being used to fight the opioid crisis in the Western world.
Because of its slow onset, and the length of time it keeps working, it can help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings effectively with a single dose per day.
So it’s nothing unusual for someone to be on methadone, but when it comes to drug testing, there are some complications and misconceptions that you’ll need to be aware of.
How Does Methadone Work & Does It Affect Jobs?
It works by competing at opioid receptors, therefore minimizing the ability for cravings and withdrawal to manifest themselves aggressively. Because it’s binding to the same receptors as drugs like heroin, oxycodone, and morphine, it’s a universal treatment for addiction to any opioid.
Competing at these receptor sites helps to lower cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
In terms of MTD use and jobs, it’s a tough one. Although it’s completely legal to be prescribed Methadone, it obviously points towards drug problems, which could affect employment.
Methadone Is Not The Only Opioid Addiction Treatment
The three main opioid addiction treatments in the USA right now are:
- Methadone
- Suboxone
- Naltrexone
Methadone is by far the most widely used because it is the most effective for significant opioid withdrawal symptoms.
As an aside, some people get confused between opiate and opioids. Opiates are natural agonist or antagonist substances, so for example, heroin and morphine.
Opioids refer to both natural and artificial substances that work in the same way, as well as being used to describe the receptors in the body themselves.
Sold mostly under the brand name Suboxone, Buprenorphine is only a partial agonist of the opioid receptors, therefore making it less effective the Methadone, but far more tolerable. So it’s used for less severe cases of addiction.
Naltrexone is a full opioid antagonist, so it blocks the opioid receptors in the body entirely, rather than competing. It works differently, and feels different, and is actually used more for people who have already detoxed, to help them maintain freedom.
How Does MTD On Urine Drug Screen Work?
Methadone is a panel on a drug test. But it’s not on every drug test, and it has to be a panel that is placed there by the person commissioning it. There are two types of drug test, the Department of Transport test (5 panel urine test), and every other type of drug test.
The DOT drug test is always a five panel urine one, and always looks for the following:
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- PCP
- Amphetamines
So as you can see, if you’re in the Department of Transport federally regulated industry then you’ll never be tested for Methadone use.
But for other types of drug testing you could be, if a Methadone panel is put into the drug test. But you won’t know if it’s there.
Is There A Specific MTD Drug Test?
There is a specific MTD panel drug test. I don’t mean the entire test is for Methadone, but it can be a panel that specifically looks for Methadone. Let’s quickly talk you through the four types of drug test now, and how Methadone would be found using them.
- MTD Urine Drug Test
A drug test is the most likely one that you will face, as it’s the most common in the USA. Easy to administer, with a long detection window, and low-cost, it’s always going to be the most usual test.
Methadone is a specific panel on the drug test if the person commissioning the test asks for a Methadone panel.
MTD Methadone, which will appear as an MTD positive or negative result on the screen, can be detected for around 3-12 days after your last dose. But the test doesn’t look for Methadone, it looks for a compound that is produced when it’s metabolized by the liver. It’s name is EDDP, and that’s what is specifically looked for.
- MTD Blood Test
A blood test is the gold standard dfor etection. However, you can’t detect Methadone for as long, and it’s more expensive. That’s why outside of court and law enforcement situations it’s rarely used.
A Methadone blood test either looks for Methadone, or EDDP. As it’s so rare, you don’t really have to worry about facing one unless you are on probation or something similar, and even then it’s rare and urine testing is preferred.
- MTD Saliva Test
Saliva (mouth swab) testing is gaining in popularity because you don’t need specialist training to administer one. A simple mouth swab, then putting it into a solution and testing against panels, you’ll get a result in five minutes on the spot.
Methadone is usually detectable in saliva for around two days after your last dose. This can be a day or two longer for heavy regular users.
Saliva testing can look for Methadone itself, but more usually the main metabolite EDDP.
- MTD Hair Drug Test
The drug testing will give the most recent 90 days drug use history. The sample is taken from the scalp up to an inch and half long to get that 90 days growth, and this is all that’s tested.
But it’s an indelible record, and you can’t escape that. It’s often used to look at long-term use and abstinence, and mostly by rehabilitation programs or doctors for specific purposes.
Overall then, this is the snapshot on MTD drug testing:
- Looks for Methadone or its main metabolite
- Has to be a specific panel on a test
- Urine drug testing is most common
- Blood testing is rarest for Methadone and other drugs
How MTD Appears On Drug Tests & Misconceptions About Positive Results
Now you’re up to speed on MTD drug screening generally, we need to speak specifically about how it appears on drug tests, and misconceptions about what is looked for.
Methadone is only looked for if the specific Methadone panel is on the drug test. Methadone will not trigger a positive result on the opioid panel. So you won’t get false positive for opiate use if you are on Methadone.
This means you can’t have a situation where Methadone triggers the panel and people think you are on heroin, morphine, or codeine (or any other opioid). In higher panel drug test in (seven panel and higher) there is an additional extended opioid panel looks for further types with slightly different structures.
In terms of standard drug testing, the seven-panel test and higher is where Methadone appears as a standard and specific substance looked for.
Legal & Employment Implications Of Methadone Use
The legal and employment implications of using Methadone can be significant, even though people should not be discriminated against.
One of the biggest misconceptions that can lead to problems is the idea that a positive Methadone result could mean other opioids are being used. It’s also the case that some people see Methadone use as drug use in its own right (even though Methadone isn’t abused very much, and if you have a prescription for it then it can’t be).
The bottom line is that if you are on Methadone legitimately, you must inform the employer (or whoever else is commissioning the test), and the drug testing company on arrival.
How To Pass An MTD Drug Screen
But what about if you are using Methadone without a prescription? You could be using it completely legitimately but through the grey market to try and curb opiate use, without letting other people know.
Whatever your reason, it’s possible to pass an MTD panel drug test using the simple methods:
- Urine test: use high-quality synthetic urine. The test will be unsupervised which makes this possible. Quick Luck is the best fake urine on the market.
- Blood test: accelerate the removal of toxins from the body by using Toxin Rid pills. Even a 24-hour course will help to eliminate it the bloodstream so quickly that you would be very unlucky to get a positive result.
- Oral test: use Oral Clear saliva-neutralizing gum. It clings to the metabolites and changes their shape. It keeps doing this for up to 15 minutes after consumption, even with fresh metabolites appearing in your saliva.
- Hair drug test: use old-style Aloe Toxin Rid shampoo as part of something called the ‘Macujo Method’.