Methadone Dependence: Don’t Make These Mistakes
Methadone is a complicated drug. Prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain as well as to fight heroin addiction, many who are dependent upon methadone believe that the drug is safe and harmless. Many patients report abusing other drugs while taking methadone without realizing the risks involved. Others don’t like how the drug makes them feel and try to undergo a methadone detox alone. Still others avoid treatment for methadone addiction because they believe that dependence upon the medication is not harmful.
Don’t make any of these mistakes. Instead, contact Michael’s House today and learn how you can get the methadone rehab help you need to fight your methadone addiction today.
Don’t Assume Methadone Addiction Is Safe if You Are Taking It as a Prescription
Some people receive a prescription for methadone to treat moderate to severe chronic pain. Others come into a methadone clinic daily to take their dose of the medication in order to treat the withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin addiction. No matter the reason you are prescribed methadone, if you are physically and/or psychologically dependent upon the substance – as most become after regular use – methadone is far from safe. It can cause serious liver and kidney damage as well as death due to accident or overdose. If you are addicted to your methadone prescription, get the help you need.
Don’t Abuse Other Drugs While Living with a Methadone Addiction
One of the most common mistakes people make while taking methadone is to mix it with other illicit substances. Combining methadone with alcohol, other opiate painkillers or benzodiazepines especially can be a deadly and often results in overdose. Don’t make this mistake.
Don’t Try to Stop Taking Methadone Suddenly if You Are Addicted
Physical and psychological dependence on methadone can be deadly with their strong grips. Attempting to stop taking the medication abruptly will mean serious withdrawal symptoms that can include diarrhea and stomach cramping, heavy sweating, insomnia, twitchy legs, bone and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, paranoia, anxiety, irritation and more. The severity of these symptoms and when and if they begin will depend upon a number of factors. Though experiencing them to some degree is part of the process of methadone detox, it is never advised to attempt it alone. Instead, choose an inpatient methadone detox program complete with round-the-clock medical care that will ensure you are safe and able to complete the process safely.
Don’t Avoid Treatment if You Are Living with a Methadone Addiction
Do not think that because you are taking methadone to treat another ailment that is necessary for you to continue living with a methadone addiction without treatment. Instead, get the help you need to detox off the drug safely and follow up with a comprehensive psychotherapeutic care program at a drug rehab program like the one provided by Michael’s House. Here, you can make sure you’ll have the medical and psychological help you need to get through the detox process safely and learn how to live without the crutch of addiction. Contact us today for more information.
