Methadone Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions About Methadone Treatment

It is time to get help!

Many people use methadone to help them overcome a heroin addiction but then later finding themselves using methadone on a regular basis. This can lead to an addiction and can cause some serious potential problems for the person. When a person becomes addicted to methadone, treatment is needed to help them overcome their addiction. Methadone withdrawal symptoms can be very brutal for many people. It is common for a person to experience outbreaks in sweats, mood changes and excessive drowsiness.

Why should I stop taking methadone, if it is helping me?

Methadone may be helping you overcome your addiction to heroin or to relieve moderate to severe pain but it can cause you to develop another addiction, a methadone addiction. Some users will start to use the medication more frequently because their bodies have started to get immune to the drug. When the drug is excessively used or abused, it can cause some serious problems.

If you or a loved on has started or already has an addiction to methadone, treatment is recommended immediately.

Is there another medication that can help with methadone treatment?

It is the best to talk to a medical doctor about different methadone treatment options. There is a medication called suboxone this is commonly used. Suboxone is a medication that assists a methadone addict, reduce the the cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This medication is usually offered through an outpatient therapy or part of a residential program.

How long will it take for me overcome my addiction to methadone?

The length of time it will take a person to overcome their addiction to methadone will vary. Methadone treatment is different for each person since their addiction will be different. Some users will have longevity to their usage of the drug, while others haven’t developed a full addiction to it. When their body has made major adjustments and become immune to the drug, it will take much longer for them to recover. Some people have reported they were able to fully recover in a couple months while others say it took them a year or more.

What are my options for methadone treatment?

There are few different options when it comes to methadone treatment. There are treatment centers that offer both residential and outpatient programs. If the user choose the residential option, they will get full 24 hour care. Typically when a person goes into a residential program they have faster recovery times. They will be able to focus on recovery and not have other daily distractions get in their way.

An outpatient recovery program is good for a person who may have other daily obligations such as work or a family to take care of. They will usually come into the treatment center 2 to 3 times a week for therapy sessions and other treatment. This option is the best for someone who is strong enough to handle the rough patches they encounter and don’t have the treatment center there to help them at that moment. They always have the option to opt out of the of the outpatient treatment program and amit themselves into the residential program.

Another option that isn’t recommended by many medical doctors is self recovery. This is where the person will recover at home without any or very little professional therapy. They will need to be prepared for the rough patches and have a strong support system with them along the way.

Here we have discussed more about home methadone treatment and the withdrawal systems that a user may experience.

Resource Box: http://www.cdc.gov/idu/facts/methadonefin.pdf