Drug Addiction - Methadone

Drug addiction - Methadone is one of a number of synthetic opiates (also called opioids) that are manufactured for medical use and have similar effects to heroin. Methadone and Subutex (Buprenorphine) are used as opiate substitutes for heroin in the treatment of heroin addiction.

Methadone is in such demand due to its promotion as a heroin alternative and potent drug that black market street sales of the drug have sky rocketed over the last few years. Unfortunately, Methadone is in large supply from street dealers who acquire the drug through various illegal and unsafe means. Many addicts of heroin prefer the high they get from combining Methadone with heroin because they claim it drastically increases the euphoric effects of heroin. This, of course, is a deadly combination and many have died from overdose trying to reach the "ultimate high".

Drug Addiction - Methadone Effects
Opiates are sedative drugs that depress the nervous system. They slow down body functioning and reduce physical and psychological pain. The effect is usually to give a feeling of warmth, relaxation and detachment. Methadone effects are known for relieving feelings of anxiety.

Drug Addiction - Methadone: Chances of getting hooked
Methadone doesn't deliver the same degree of buzz or high as heroin. It allows people to tackle their psychological addiction and stabilize their lifestyle when used as a substitute for heroin. Such treatment is often continued for a long period of time in some cases.

Today, an estimated 1 million Americans are addicted to heroin. About 120,000 people take Methadone, a synthetic opiate, to control their heroin addiction. About 20% of Methadone patients continue their Methadone treatment for more than 10 years. Many experts do not agree that the trading of opiate addiction for Methadone addiction is a step in the right direction. Methadone is one of the most difficult drugs to detox from, since its effects are long-lasting and Methadone is readily stored in the body's tissues.

In treatment, opiate substitution therapy, Methadone is usually initially aimed at obliterating withdrawal symptoms and supporting stabilization of health and lifestyle. However, 1 for 1 these individuals discover that they become hooked on Methadone relatively quickly and when they attempt to withdraw from this legally prescribed drug the pain and discomfort far exceeds that of withdrawing from their original drug of choice.

Drug Addiction - Methadone Appearance and Use
The Methadone that's prescribed to people trying to come off 'street' heroin is usually a liquid which is swallowed, but it can come in tablet or injectable form. Effects can start quickly and can last several hours.

Methadone that's prescribed by a doctor is subject to stringent controls, as with any other medicine, so you can be sure of its strength and that it has not been tampered with. You can't be as sure with Methadone that's bought on the street which may be an unusually concentrated variant and more powerful than expected.

Drug Addiction - Methadone Use Risks
With high doses of Methadone, the feeling of sedation dominates and users feel sleepy. Too much, and you can fall into a coma or stop breathing completely.

Many women don't have periods when they use opiates such as Methadone regularly. If they cut down, or stop, the periods may return. There's a good chance of getting pregnant during this time if they choose not to use contraception. Opiates may possibly increase the risk of miscarriage and still births and opiate users may give birth to smaller babies. It's not a good idea to stop using opiates suddenly if you're pregnant as this can cause premature labor and miscarriage. Many women who are in Methadone treatment may choose to continue using this drug throughout their pregnancy to minimize such risk.

Drug addiction - Methadone addiction is another very serious risk of using this drug. Millions of unsuspecting individuals have fallen prey to the illusion that taking Methadone would somehow handle their addiction to other drugs such as heroin or other opiates. There is much controversy surrounding the use of Methadone for the treatment of opiate addicts, a practice which is prevalent since the early 1960s.

Methadone addiction is a serious problem. In blind trials, users who were given both drugs orally were unable to distinguish between the effects of heroin and Methadone. As compared to other opiates, such a heroin, in which the withdrawal period is a week to 10 days, heavy Methadone users can expect to not recover for up to 5 or 6 weeks.

Many former heroin users have claimed that the horrors of withdrawal from heroin were far less difficult and painful than withdrawal from Methadone addiction. When "Methadone Treatment" was invented, it was meant to be a 20-day process to help ease the pain of withdrawal from opiate addiction. Today, Methadone treatment facilities are run based on their financial success, on profit from their customers.

Consider this: if a Methadone treatment center is licensed to treat 150 individuals and they are currently only treating 149, you are not going to get off Methadone. This is due to the fact that they need you as a customer. Of course this is not true in 100% of the cases, but is very often the way it goes.

If you or someone you love is currently considering Methadone maintenance as an alternative to heroin or other drug addiction - Methadone use, please give us a call. We'll be glad to help you in many ways to either safely end your Methadone addiction or locate a safer drug-free alternative to Methadone that will assist you in regaining your life back.