Methadone is a long-acting opiate (narcotic) medication that is used as a substitute for heroin or other opiates that are being abused. Methadone is a synthetic opiate receptor agonist that was developed more than 50 years ago. Methadone was supposedly developed as an alternative to morphine, which was in short supply at the end of World War II. Despite the morphine shortage, methadone was not used as an analgesic until the post-war period.
Methadone is usually available as a liquid - - which is swallowed. Tablets and injectable ampules are sometimes prescribed, but in rare cases. Like many other medicines, some of these prescribed drugs are diverted and become available illegally. It is very important that when taking methadone, it is taken in accurate amounts as an overdose can occur quite easily.
Methadone's effects are less powerful than heroin. However, Methadone offers a similar, less intense absence of pain combined with euphoric qualities. The combined methadone effects are a sense of well being, feeling warm, content, drowsy, and untroubled. Physically, the pupils of the eye become smaller, body temperature drops, and blood pressure and pulse slow down. Methadone may also affect a person’s ability to drive a car or operate heavy machinery. Research has demonstrated that when methadone is given in regular doses by a physician, it has the ability to block the euphoria caused by heroin if the individual does try to take heroin. Despite methadone's role in the treatment of heroin addiction, it has addictive properties and also a high potential for abuse on the street.
Patients on methadone maintenance report a wide range of methadone effects. A long list of methadone's effects has been compiled and is presented below. Some of these methadone effects are easily mistaken as withdrawal symptoms or as other medical conditions.
Methadone side effects include but are not limited to:
- drowsiness
- lightheadedness
- weakness
- euphoria
- dry mouth
- urinary retention
- constipation
- slow or troubled breathing
- sensation of drunkenness
- confusion
- depression
- blurred or double vision
- facial flushing
- sweating
- heart palpitation
- nausea
- vomiting
Methadone side effects that are more uncommon include but are not limited to:
- anaphylactic reactions
- hypertension causing weakness and fainting
- disorientation
- hallucinations
- unstable gait
- tremor
- muscle twitching
- myasthenia gravis
- kidney failure
- seizures
If you are looking for an effective dual diagnosis treatment program, addiction treatment program, detox, drug rehab or alcohol rehab call Lakeview Health Systems now at 1-800-231-2950. All calls are completely confidential and our staff is available to assist you 24 hours a day. |
Many people go from being addicted to heroin to acquiring a methadone addiction. They continue with this "drug addiction treatment" for years, fearing the withdrawal that will occur when they stop. Methadone does not have to be the way of life for former heroin addicts. Gradual cessation followed by a drug rehab program may be the answer for many sufferers.
Methadone Addiction can take several forms:
- conning a doctor into prescribing a higher dosage than is required
- taking more than the recommended dosage
- taking methadone in combination with other drugs, including alcohol
- using methadone as a 'top up' drug while continuing to take heroin
- selling prescribed methadone in order to buy heroin
Many former heroin addicts have claimed that the horrors of heroin withdrawal were far less painful and difficult than withdrawal from methadone.
Methadone withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:
- sneezing
- yawning
- tearing of eyes
- runny nose
- excessive perspiration
- fever
- dilated pupils
- abdominal cramps
- nausea
- body aches
- tremors
- irritability
After several days of stabilizing a patient with methadone, the amount can be gradually decreased. The rate at which it is decreased is dependent on the reaction of the individual.
Keeping Methadone withdrawal symptoms at a tolerable level is the goal.
Methadone detox is invaluable to those who have tried to discontinue using opiates with methadone maintenance. Individuals are as physically dependent on methadone as they were to heroin or other opiates; this is not recovery from drug addiction. Detox from Methadone may be more difficult than other substances, but the end result is a body clean from drug polluting toxins. Methadone detox delivered at Lakeview is one of the most thorough and successful detoxification procedures available. Our methadone detox method is designed to cover all the parts of an individual's methadone detox. The removal of methadone residues is a key point in methadone detox. Without this process, methadone residues can remain in one's body and cause cravings for years after methadone abuse has ceased.
If you are looking for an effective dual diagnosis treatment program, addiction treatment program, detox, drug rehab or alcohol rehab call Lakeview Health Systems now at 1-800-231-2950. All calls are completely confidential and our staff is available to assist you 24 hours a day. |
