Methadone Treatment

Drugs are made to provide the human body health benefits. In such a way, doctors prescribe these drugs and patients take these drugs to alleviate their pain and make their conditions better. These drugs do not however provide only benefits. These drugs can help an addict in the detoxification and withdrawal process but these may also in turn become another substance of abuse in the long run. Drugs like these should be prescribed with close and careful guidance by the physician.

A synthetic opioid used to cure individuals suffering from pain is known as methadone. It is a rigorously well-tested medication that is harmless and efficacious for the treatment of narcotic withdrawal and dependence. Heroin gives off an excess of dopamine in the body and causes users to want an opiate continuously occupying the opioid receptor in the brain. Methadone occupies this receptor and is the stabilizing factor that makes addicts on methadone to adjust their behavior and to stop using heroin. Methadone holds back narcotic withdrawal for about 24 to 36 hours. However, it is only effective in cases of addiction to heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs. Methadone blocks the high from heroin but it does not offer the euphoric rush.

Methadone has been a vital factor in terms of reducing crime, death, disease, and drug use. This substance is known to be the most effective treatment for heroin dependency. It also prevents HIV/AIDS. It may be trivial, but methadone maintenance treatment the occurrence of injecting and needle sharing. Moreover, methadone treatment decreases criminal behavior and almost eliminates heroin use.

But, just like any other opioid drugs, absolute use of methadone and without appropriate guidance could possibly lead to tolerance and eventually cause drug dependency. When taken under medical prescription and under a physician’s care, research suggest that long-term methadone maintenance treatment use is medically safe.

Deaths occur more frequently at the beginning of treatment in methadone programs; they are usually a cause of excessive doses (i.e. erroneously estimated tolerance) and they are affected by concomitant diseases (hepatitis, pneumonia). This substance commonly entails the complete spectrum of opioid side effects, including the development of tolerance and physical and psychological dependence. Respiratory depressions are quite harmful. The released histamines can cause bronchospasms.

The addiction to the substance methadone happens when the body tolerates the substance thus, asking for higher dosage in the long run. And, once the usag is discontinued, withdrawal would occur. The physical changes due to the drug are the same to other opiates; suppressed cough reflex, contracted pupils, drowsiness and constipation. Some methadone users experience sickness 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 and can remain in your body for several days.

According to an article by two doctors addressing the question, “is methadone more likely to kill you than heroin?”, stated that methadone is not an innocent substance. One’s methadone maintenance is another’s poison. Actually, it depends mainly on the tolerance of the person. A lenient individual could take in methadone without feeling any ill effects, but not a non-tolerant person. For precaution it is sensible to start with low dosage and gradually increasing it, if the necessity to use methadone really arise. Also, experts have found out that methadone has been used unlawfully in the streets as a substitute for heroin. Thus, causing more death than heroin.

Methadone is a drug used to counterpart substance addiction yet tolerance may occur leading to addiction. There is irony in this substance. You thought it’s safe but unknowingly, you have become dependent to it and you couldn’t seem to get away with the drug.