Methadone Addiction Facts
Methadone has been a helpful medication for people needing to quit dangerous opiate drugs. It is a synthetic narcotic created around the time of World War II. However, Methadone itself is an opiate, though it has been deemed safer than heroin and other narcotic (opiate) drugs.
Unfortunately, many people trying to get clean from illegal narcotics have found themselves addicted to Methadone. It has now been used to stabilize people with narcotic addictions, but it is not usually the final medication used to help them get completely clean and sober. Methadone addiction has become a problem of its own. Learn some of the facts about Methadone addiction by reading more here.
How Methadone Works
Methadone is one of the longer lasting narcotic drugs, often taking over twenty hours to leave the body once it’s been taken. Because each person’s body metabolizes methadone at different rates, it can be difficult to tell what kind of use can lead to addiction or even overdose. The noticeable effects can wear off long before the drug is out of a person’s system, making excessive use very risky. The same amount of methadone could be ineffective for one person and dangerously high for another.
Risks Of Methadone Dependence
This long period of effectiveness can be helpful when it is used properly for drug detox. However, it can be very challenging when someone is addicted to it and going through withdrawal symptoms. Many people going through Methadone withdrawal have to be patient. They should prepare for an opiate detox process lasting weeks or even months.
While it helps reduce cravings for heroin and other dangerous narcotics, the person is still dependent on an opiate drug. It often takes other newer narcotic detox medications to help them become completely free of all opiate drugs. Despite this, methadone use can keep addicts off the streets and out of the justice system as they begin recovery.
Quick Methadone Addiction Facts
Still not sure you know enough about methadone addiction? Check out these other quick facts about methadone addiction.
- Methadone overdoses have been on the rise in the last several years. As of 2005, almost 4000 people have died from complications of a methadone overdose.
- Methadone can be prescribed for pain relief by any physician. But it can only be prescribed for addiction treatment by doctors through specialty methadone clinics.
- Methadone is only effective as a treatment for opiate addictions. It does not help with addictions to other drugs such as meth or cocaine.
- It’s tough to find clear numbers on how many people are addicted to methadone today. There are at least 250,000 people using methadone clinics, but this does not clarify who might be addicted to the drug. Also, the number of people obtaining methadone through illegal means is unknown.
Methadone Rehab Treatment
Even though methadone is often used to treat heroin addiction, some people need treatment for their methadone addiction. Like with any other addictive drug, it isn’t enough just to go through detox. Full drug treatment for methadone addiction helps a person create a sober lifestyle based on having no opiate drugs at all. To learn more about this, get your questions ready and call us today.
