TREATMENT
What is Methadone?
Addiction occurs when an individual compulsively uses a drug, despite negative and even dangerous consequences. Addicts crave its use for non-medical reasons, and it causes severe and damaging changes in their behaviour.
Dependence does not necessarily constitute an addiction. It includes both psychological and physical dependence on the drug. Where the individual’s thoughts, emotions, and activities are focused on the drug, and they need the drug to function or their body suffers from withdrawal.
Regular use of opioids over a period of time can lead to opioid dependence. It can develop in anyone, not just heavy users.
Opioid dependence is a brain-related medical disorder. As such, there are treatments available. Though no one treatment is guaranteed to be effective, addiction counselling and drug therapies (e.g. methadone maintenance treatment) are safe and effective ways to combat opioid dependence.
Which drug addictions will Methadone Work For?
Methadone treatment doesn’t only work for heroin, it is also commonly used for those struggling with prescription painkillers. Methadone is typically used to treat: Butorphanol, codeine, dilaudid, femerol, fentanyl, heroin, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, levorphanol, meperidine, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, propoxyphrine, Percodan, Percocet, pussionex, palwin, and Tylenol 1-4, as these drugs are all part of the same family
How is Methadone Taken?
Methadone is mixed with juice, typically orange, and taken once a day. Initially, patients must visit a pharmacy daily, where administration can observed by a pharmacist. However, as you progress you may be allowed to take doses home.
There are two main phases to methadone maintenance treatment:
Phase 1: Stabilization
The first few weeks are the hardest. During the stabilization phase your body is getting adjusted to metabolizing the methadone, so you may still feel some withdrawal symptoms.
Phase 2: Maintenance
When you reach the maintenance phase, your body will be tolerant of methadone. Once stabilized, you should no longer experience withdrawal symptoms or cravings for opiates. If you take opiates during this time, you will not get high as the methadone blocks the effects, which helps to decrease the desire to use.
How is Methadone Taken?
Methadone is mixed with juice, typically orange, and taken once a day. Initially, patients must visit a pharmacy daily, where administration can observed by a pharmacist. However, as you progress you may be allowed to take doses home.
There are two main phases to methadone maintenance treatment:
Phase 1: Stabilization
The first few weeks are the hardest. During the stabilization phase your body is getting adjusted to metabolizing the methadone, so you may still feel some withdrawal symptoms.
Phase 2: Maintenance
When you reach the maintenance phase, your body will be tolerant of methadone. Once stabilized, you should no longer experience withdrawal symptoms or cravings for opiates. If you take opiates during this time, you will not get high as the methadone blocks the effects, which helps to decrease the desire to use.
Long Term Use of Methadone
You should think of methadone treatment similarly to diabetics requiring long-term prescribed medicine to prevent complications from their disease. Patients that are compliant with their treatment can choose to stay on the treatment indefinitely. Many patients will decide to slowly decrease their dose when they feel their life has stabilized and they no longer experience cravings. An experienced physician will help taper the usage of methadone to help avoid a resurgence of cravings.
Methadone is safe and will not cause long-term damage to organs. Many studies have shown that methadone is the most successful treatment available for opioid dependence.