Methadone

Methadone is the generic name for a synthetic narcotic pain reliever. For chronic pain, methadone is a more cost effective choice versus other pain management treatments. Methadone has also been tested over the years and has proven to be a safe treatment for those addicted to heroin, morphine or other opiates. Some brand names that methadone is marketed under are Methadose, Dolophine and Diskets. Why would it make a difference whether a person is using heroin or methadone? Under the influence of heroin, the addiction is so great, that a person would be willing to do “anything” to achieve the high of heroin. The emotional and physical cravings are so intense you can’t think of anything but getting high. However, with that extreme high there are also extreme lows. The withdrawal symptoms that one feels when coming down off heroin are so painful they are hooked into staying high to avoid that pain.

The difference between methadone treatment and heroin is that with methadone treatment, the cravings for heroin are reduced by occupying the body’s opiate receptor in a similar way as with the heroin; however the behavior of the person is considered much more manageable. In other words, you don’t feel the euphoric high with methadone, as you would with heroin, but by using the methadone, you are avoiding the painful withdrawal symptoms you would feel if you were to quit using heroin all together. So basically, you are going from being dependent upon heroin, to being dependent upon methadone.

Methadone treatment or MMT (American Methadone Treatment Association) typically consists of one dose of methadone taken orally per day. There are some common possible side effects:

• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Skin rash
• Decreased sex drive
• Anxiety
• Nervousness

However, if you experience any of the following more serious side effects you will want to seek medical attention right away:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Hallucinations
• Fainting

Methadone, as with many drugs that are initially created to help people, is also abused. Because this article is meant to be informative in the realm of treatment for addiction, it is important that you know the withdrawal symptoms from heroin addiction last between 7-10 days, and although they can be painful, it is short lived. Whereas the withdraw symptoms from methadone can last up to a month. Regardless of which way you go, once you have gone through the detoxification process, you will still have to deal with the behaviors that you had before you began using drugs. You should certainly seek treatment. It is out there. You just have to take the first step by admitting you have a problem, so that you can get the help you have been waiting for.