At addiction rehab centers around the nation, methadone is used to treat opioid addiction for heroin and prescription or street narcotic pain medication addiction. Although methadone has been available in the United States since 1947, there are still a lot of misinformed people and false beliefs that prevent addicts and their family members from actively seeking methadone treatment as a solution to opiate addiction. In today’s post, we would like to answer some common questions to help mitigate fears and quell concerns.
At Metro Rehab of Oak Park, we are dedicated to helping those who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction in Detroit to overcome their addiction and live a sober life. We offer methadone treatment in addition to a variety of other treatment modalities including medicinal, therapy, and outpatient services. If you or someone you love is suffering from an opiate problem, contact us for more information today.
What is methadone?
Methadone is an opiate derivative that works similarly to other opiates. It works on the same receptor sites as heroin or prescription pain medication and offers some of the same positive benefits such as altered perception of pain. However, since it is not a full opiate, it does not offer the euphoric high that true opiates do. The purpose is to feed the same receptor sites to help reduce cravings and the side effects of withdrawal to prevent relapse.
Is methadone safe?
While methadone is not recommended for everyone, it is safe for those who need it. As an alternative to street heroin, methadone does not contain additives nor does it create the high that heroin does. Methadone is safe enough to use daily and on a long-term to permanent basis to combat opiate addiction. Additionally, methadone is safe for use in pregnant women, whereas heroin and prescription narcotics can cause devastating effects on an unborn baby as well as the pregnant mother.
Does methadone treatment work?
Methadone has been used to successfully treat opiate addiction for more than 30 years. Like any other treatment, some people have more success than others. Methadone’s effects block the opiate receptor sites for 24 to 36 hours, effectively reducing or eliminating the urge to seek out heroin or other narcotics.
What is the benefit of methadone treatment?
There are several opiate treatment options, each offering its own risks and benefits. The major benefit of methadone is that it acts similarly to heroin and other addictive narcotics. Although this may seem counterproductive to treating addiction, but it is effective because it reduces and eliminates the urge to use. Methadone, when used in conjunction with other treatments, such as drug therapy and counseling, can be a very effective method to completely eliminating and curing the addiction.
How long does methadone treatment take?
There is no set amount of time that methadone treatment takes. For each addict, the treatment time can vary. For some, it could take a few months, and for others, it can last the rest of their lives. Methadone treatment is completely tailored to the individual addict. Each person and their addiction is different. Narcotic addiction treatment involves a variety of factors, each as unique as the individual.
Can I discontinue use of methadone when I’m ready?
When you begin using methadone to treat your opiate addiction, it can be very effective. You can begin feeling better quickly. It is important to remember that you should be completely cured before completely discontinuing use and you should never quit cold turkey and without the supervision of a physician. Suddenly discontinuing your prescribed methadone could lead to relapse or withdrawal symptoms.
At Metropolitan Rehabilitation Center in Oak Park, we offer a variety of heroin and narcotic addiction treatment methods, including methadone. At our addiction recovery center, we are able to help the addicts of Detroit overcome their addictions and regain their lives. If you or someone that you know could benefit from methadone treatment, contact us today!