It is tempting for recovering addicts to rely on the synthetic opioid methadone. Created by chemists to mimic the effects of opiates, methadone is often administered during recovery from opiate addiction to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. Some of the withdrawal symptoms that methadone relieve include the following:
- Fever
- Accelerated heartbeat or arrhythmia
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Confusion
- Depression
- Unbearable cravings
These problems may seem bearable, but they are quite dangerous. Without professional help, they can easily lead someone to relapse or cause other debilitating problems. Do not attempt to detox from an opiate or methadone on your own. Instead, seek the professional help of a detox clinic, as you can avoid dangerous problems and be under strict medical supervision.
The procedure of replacing opiates with methadone and then weaning methadone use helps patients resist future cravings for opiates. This help break addiction while the body breaks the physical addiction. However, over time patients may replace the opiate addiction with the recovery drug if they see methadone as the solution to addiction. Methadone addiction will only prolong the treatment process by requiring patients to detox anew.
Consequences of Methadone Addiction
If a patient relies too heavily on methadone but does not tell his doctor, the following consequences may ensue:
- Deeper addiction, as methadone is an addictive recovery drug
- Death from methadone overdose
- Disillusionment from loved ones who consider the attempted recovery a failure, since the patient is only addicted to a new drug
- Despair on the part of the addict, who at this point gives up hope that he will ever completely escape addiction
Do not take methadone abuse lightly or as the final answer to problems. If addicts do not embrace the non-chemical recovery techniques, methadone will only worsen an addiction instead of improving it. Better alternatives include holistic addiction treatment, which utilizes nutrition, exercise, a healthy environment and lifestyle training to ensure that addiction leaves permanently. With help, encouragement and determination, any addict can be free of opiate addiction without putting all their trust in methadone.
Recovery Help for Methadone Addiction
If you or a loved one fear methadone addiction and want to pursue recovery options, please call our toll-free helpline. We want to hear your concerns and point you to treatment, and we are available 24 hours a day to do so. Call us now to begin your recovery today.
