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. However, these drugs may not be that angelic all the time. These drugs may, for example, 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 protected and efficacious for the treatment of narcotic withdrawal and dependence. Heroin gives off an excess of dopamine in the body and causes users to call for 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 modify their behavior and to discontinue heroin use. Methadone holds back narcotic withdrawal for about 24 to 36 hours. However, it is only effective in cases of dependency to heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs. Methadone blocks the high from heroin but it does not give 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 lessens criminal behavior and almost eliminates heroin use.

Then like any other opioid drugs, absolute use of methadone and without correct guidance could possibly lead to tolerance and eventually cause drug dependency. Researches suggest that long time use of methadone for treatment is medically safe provided that it is taken under the approval of a physician.

Deaths occur more frequently at the beginning of treatment in methadone programs; they are commonly a reason of abusive doses (i.e. erroneously estimated tolerance) and they are affected by related diseases (hepatitis, pneumonia). Methadone generally entails the entire spectrum of opioid side effects, including the development of tolerance and physical and psychological dependence. Respiratory depressions are dangerous. The released histamines can cause bronchospasms.

Methadone dependency occurs when the body tolerates the substance thus, asking for higher dosage in the long run. And, once the habit is discontinued, withdrawal can happen. The physical changes brought by the drug are similar to other opiates; suppressed cough reflex, contracted pupils, drowsiness and constipation. Some methadone users experience sickness when they first use the drug. A woman using methadone cannot have regular periods but there is still a possibility of conceiving. 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 continuation is another’s poison. Essentially, it depends chiefly on the tolerance of the person. A tolerant person could take in methadone without feeling any ill effects, but not a non-tolerant person. Moreover, as a precaution, it is sensible to start with low dosage and bit by bit increasing it, if the need to use methadone really arise. Also, it was stated in the article that methadone has been used illegally in the streets as a substitute for heroin. Thus, causing more death than heroin.

The methadone substance is used to correspond to addiction but tolerance can occur which can lead to one’s dependency upon the substance. 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.