Methadone Rehab
Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine. It reduces the withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other opiate based drugs (e.g. codeine). It is also used for drug addiction (usually heroin) detoxifications and community based maintenance programmes.
Do not stop using methadone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Tremors
- Sweats
- Runny nose
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Insomnia and restlessness
- Muscular spasms
- Bone and muscle pain
- Vomiting and nausea
- Irritability, agitation and panic
- Diarrhoea
- Goose bumps (hence the term Cold Turkey)
Methadone hydrochloride is an opioid (a synthetic opiate) that was originally synthesized by German pharmaceutical companies during the Second World War. It was first marketed as 'Dolophine' and was used as an analgesic (a painkiller) for the treatment of severe pain during and post battle. It is still occasionally used for pain relief.
Methadone is now primarily used for the treatment of heroin addiction. The effects of methadone last longer than those of most morphine-based drugs. Methadone's effects can last up to 24 hours, thereby permitting administration only once a day, which assists towards minimising the often chaotic lifestyles of many addicted user of heroin for their detoxification and maintenance programmes.
How is methadone taken?
Methadone is usually available as a liquid - linctus or methadone mixture - which should be drunk. Tablets and injectable ampoules are sometimes prescribed, and like many other medicines, some of these prescribed drugs are diverted and become available illegally on the black market.
What is methadone dependency?
As an opiate, regular use of methadone causes physical dependency - if you've been using it regularly (prescribed or not) once you stop you will experience a withdrawal. The physical changes due to the drug are very similar to other opiates, such as heroin; suppressed cough reflex, contracted pupils, drowsiness, constipation and itching / scratching. Some methadone users feel sick when they first use the drug.
If you are a woman using methadone you may not have regular periods - but you are still able to conceive.
Methadone is a long-acting opioid; it has an effect for up to 36 hours (if you are using methadone you will not withdraw for this period) and can remain in your body for several days.
Methadone is highly addictive which means a person can become addicted extremely rapidly (after just days of regular use). Methadone addiction is not easy to beat. Infact, many users will express a preference to detoxify from methadone with heroin! However that doesn't mean that it's impossible, especially when given the right help and support from your family and friends.
Selecting the right methadone rehab centre is a difficult decision to have to make. Few of us know what to look for in a quality methadone rehab programme. Indeed, all drug rehabilitation centres differ and have their own "personality". Each methadone rehabilitation centre has its own therapeutic programme, staff levels & qualifications, accommodation (on or off site), cost, and effectiveness, etc.
A methadone rehabilitation treatment centre may offer a variety of treatment programmes that meet individual needs, or be established to treat everyone as a group (both methods are effective). Programmes may include inpatient, residential, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.
The difference between inpatient and a residential treatment centre is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential programs usually do not meet the same standards of medical care and are more therapeutically based. Please note that both of these models are very effective and that a different client will respond differently to a different model.
Statistics compiled after years of research have found that the vast majority of people that completed alcohol or drug detoxification, but then failed to continue rehabilitative treatment in a residential addiction treatment centre, ended up in relapse and no better off (often worse) than they were beforehand. Detoxification is a necessary component in the path towards recovery, but permanent change and positive recovery is generally achieved through a multidisciplinary of protocols that address the root of someone's' addiction and not just their physical symptoms.
The decision to enter a rehab for methadone addiction can be a very difficult and painstaking process. If you are confused by the many choices offered, then please call us on 0845 686 0337 - today.
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