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Overcoming Methadone
Addiction

Opiate addiction can be difficult to overcome, especially when the withdrawal symptoms are overwhelmingly severe. Several different types of drug treatments that have been designed to lessen these symptoms. Methadone is a common treatment for opiate addicts that is highly effective when being administered by licensed professionals.

Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Methadone maintenance treatment, also called methadone drug treatment, is conducted for individuals who are addicted to opiates. During the detoxification period, a patient may consent to methadone treatment to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

Patients who undergo the treatment usually exhibit little to no side effects. Minor side effects that some patients have experienced include constipation, drowsiness, and other non life-threatening discomforts. Studies have shown that it has no effect on the condition of major organs. It does not cause a decrease in your ability to operate machinery or perform daily tasks.

Methadone Clinics

Methadone treatment is offered at both inpatient and outpatient levels of care. At inpatient clinics, the patient is closely monitored during both the detoxification process and subsequent phases of withdrawal. Licensed medical professionals administer methadone to the patient daily. It is usually taken orally once a day for approximately 2 days but can be extended at the doctors discretion.

Following detoxification, the patient is usually given the option to participate in counseling or psychotherapy sessions. Individual counseling and group counseling is usually offered. Group counseling could be among other addicts or with the family and friends of the addict.

At outpatient clinics, care and treatment is less structured. While most outpatient clinics require that treatment be carried out onsite, some clinics allow patients to pick up the medication and take it at their leisure. Outpatient care is easier for individuals with busy schedules to receive care without interrupting daily activities.

Detox

The detoxification process usually lasts approximately 24 hours. Patients being seen at a residential drug detox center, will most likely be monitored during this period of time. Methadone will be administered as necessary, allowing the body to detox. The symptoms experienced during this period may be uncomfortable but not as serious as detox without an alternative drug treatment.

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