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Methadone Treatment
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Methadone is a substance used as a treatment in reducing opioid cravings, despite being an opioid itself. Sometimes, it is even used in treating moderate to severe pain.
Methadone is only given to people under prescription, and since it is a Schedule II drug, it is legal to use. Unfortunately, methadone treatment is not always the safest, mainly because it still has a high potential of causing addiction in users. Some people even manage to obtain the drug illegally and use it to get high, which can be very dangerous.
Whereas methadone can be an effective treatment for pain and certain drug addictions, methadone addiction itself will also require treatment. Otherwise, it may lead to overdoses or severe physical dependence, and mental impairment. On top of that, it even causes withdrawal in individuals who developed an addiction.
Understanding Methadone
Methadone is a man-made opioid drug often prescribed for treating moderate and severe pain, or for helping people stop taking other drugs, such as heroin. It is great at reducing symptoms of withdrawal like shivering, shaking, flu-like symptoms, cravings, and many others. For this reason, it is very common to see methadone used in detoxification processes.
The synthetic opioid drug has been around since World War II. It was created by German doctors during the war, and once it reached the U.S., it quickly became a medication given to people who were suffering from very bad pain.
Methadone is a Schedule II substance. This means that it is legal for use as long as it is offered on prescription to people whose condition requires it. At the same time, it shows that the drug has a high likelihood of misuse, as well as dependence.
The drug often ends up being used illegally as a result of an addiction or desire to get high.
Methadone Usage
Methadone can be consumed in tablet, powder, or liquid form. The type of methadone you get, as well as the amount you must use daily, will be prescribed by your healthcare provider. During the treatment, the dose may change.
Methadone will be prescribed by your doctor if you suffer from severe pain. If you need it to get rid of an addiction, then it will be offered to you from an addiction treatment program. It’s important to follow the dosage instructions as accurately as possible, and never stop taking the drug or increase your dose without consulting your doctor first.
When used for an addiction, you may be given methadone for up to 12 weeks. During this time, the dose will be gradually reduced, until you no longer need to take it. In some cases, the process may be faster. For maintenance therapy, though, the methadone will be taken long-term.
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Risks of Using Methadone
Some individuals should not take methadone. For instance, taking methadone would be risky for people who have:
- Issues urinating
- A history of seizures, head injury, or brain tumor
- Breathing difficulties
- Lung disease
- Heart disease
- An imbalance in electrolytes
- A heart rhythm disorder
- Kidney or liver disease
- Pancreas, thyroid, or gallbladder issues
- A condition that requires taking sedatives
Methadone can also be affected by other drugs, such as drugs that slow your breathing, drugs that make you feel sleepy, drugs that make changes in your serotonin levels, or other narcotic drugs.
If you are taking any medications, it is essential to let your healthcare provider know about them. Also, in case you are dealing with any of the issues listed, the doctor will not prescribe methadone for you.
Methadone Abuse
Although methadone is a drug used to treat cravings for other substances or withdrawal symptoms, it is a heavily regulated drug. The opiate is very strong, and it may be addictive to those who take it. For this reason, methadone abuse is very likely to happen, especially in people with a history of substance abuse.
Methadone is a bit different from Morphine and Heroin because it does not offer the same euphoric effects. Instead, it manages to block any pleasure created by other opiates. Still, it can cause some limited euphoric effects that are enough to make someone crave the drug.
How long it takes for someone to get addicted to methadone will depend on a few factors, such as the duration of the drug use, genetics, and personal substance use history. Those who have a history of criminal activity, substance abuse, or are in contact with high-risk individuals will be more likely to develop a methadone dependence.
Treatment for Methadone Addiction
While methadone addiction can be terrible, it can also be treated. Overcoming the addiction will be a challenging process, one that will be affected by the quality of the treatment and the duration of said treatment.
Even though methadone is not as addictive as heroin, it is still hard to quit on your own, and may also lead to withdrawal. So, anyone who is addicted to it will have to be under professional supervision while they recover.
There are many rehabilitation centers that help people get rid of their methadone addiction and return to their normal life as better individuals. The medication and assistance will be given 24/7, especially to people who suffer from withdrawal.
Rehab center environments are very supportive and safe. Not only do they help you get rid of the addiction, but they also teach you how to prevent addictions in the future.
Why Real Deal Can Help
Real Deal can create miracles. Our services are designed to help you recover from methadone addiction, and we’ll also assist you in finding healthier ways to cope with any negative feelings. During our detox program, we’ll make sure that you can get rid of methadone the safe way and we’ll prepare you for new life adventures.
What’s even better is that after the treatment, you will have the opportunity to stay in a sober living home to get used to your new situation before you go back to society.
Methadone addiction treatment can help someone ditch an addiction that could ruin their life. Contact our center as soon as possible if you want to get help.