Methadone Addiction
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Adverse Effects of Methadone
Methadone is perfectly safe and effective if taken exactly as prescribed. Make sure you stick with the prescribed dose that is specifically tailored for you.
Navigation: What is Methadone for?, Is Methadone Safe?, What are the Adverse Effects of Methadone?, Methadone Risks, Methadone Abuse, Methadone Overdose, Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms, Methadone Addiction and Treatment, Rehab Is Your Best Chance
Methadone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of severe pain. But in some cases, it is also used for the treatment of opioid addiction as a form of medication-assisted treatment or MAT. It can even be used to treat heroin addiction.
The interesting thing about methadone is that it is also an opioid itself. This means that methadone can also be addictive, especially if abused. As a patient tries to recover from their opioid addiction using methadone, there is the possibility of them getting hooked on this medication. It is important to understand how methadone works, what it does, and what its adverse effects are, so you know how to use it properly. Let’s take a closer look.
What is Methadone for?
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist, which means it can reduce the opioid withdrawal symptoms of a person in recovery. By blocking the effects of opioids, the patient’s cravings are reduced or even completely eliminated. Methadone helps with opioid dependence because it effectively blocks the euphoric high that you would usually experience when you take heroin or other opioids. For this reason, methadone is often used in replacement therapy.
Compared to these potent opioids, methadone’s effects are slower. It can even be used for patients who are going through severe pain due to an injury, surgery, or long-term illness. Methadone changes the way the brain responds to pain signals, bringing pain relief to patients. It is available in tablet, powder, and liquid form.
That said, methadone is not considered a cure for addiction. It is only used as one of the components of a complete addiction treatment program. It allows you to get on the right path by helping your body adjust to the absence of opioids so you can undergo therapy and counseling.
Unfortunately, methadone itself has its own set of risks. It also has some dangerous drug interactions. This is why your doctor will still keep a close eye on your intake to make sure it doesn’t just lead to another addiction. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), methadone is classified as a Schedule II controlled medication.
Because of its potential dangers, methadone is only available via prescription. If you are given a methadone prescription, make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Do not take more than you are supposed to, and do not take it more often than is prescribed.
Methadone hydrochloride tablets are taken by mouth as directed by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food. However, you are not supposed to chew or swallow the tablets. You need to dissolve it in 4 ounces of water and drink the entire mixture. Again, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to reduce the risk of addiction or overdose.
Is Methadone Safe?
Methadone is perfectly safe and effective if taken exactly as prescribed. Make sure you stick with the prescribed dose that is specifically tailored for you. Your doctor will make adjustments if necessary.
Do not share your methadone with anybody else, even if they have the same symptoms or condition. This is for those who are taking methadone at home and are not required to take it under direct supervision of a healthcare professional.
Patients need to give their complete health history to their healthcare provider to make sure their medications do not interact with methadone and cause heart problems. Methadone tends to linger within a person’s system long after its effects have worn off. This may potentially lead to an unintentional overdose.
Do not drink alcohol or operate machinery. Store methadone out of reach of children and pets, and store it at room temperature. If you have any unused methadone, dispose of it safely.
What are the Adverse Effects of Methadone?
Methadone side effects can range from mild to severe. It can range from stomach cramps to life-threatening respiratory depression. Whatever your symptoms, you need to take it seriously, as even mild symptoms may sometimes indicate an emergency. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately.
Here are some of the most common short term side effects of methadone: headache, restlessness, itchy skin, dry mouth, slow breathing, stomach pain, upset stomach, heavy sweating, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and sexual problems. It can also cause changes in a person’s mood, behavior, sleeping habits, weight, vision, and appetite.
Some of methadone’s side effects are more serious: lightheadedness, rashes, hives, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, mental depression, muscle pain, confusion, cough, coughing, trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, trouble swallowing, unusual menstrual periods, and severe drowsiness. In some cases, a person may get a swollen tongue, throat, face, or lips.
If you encounter any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. Do not let overdose occur. It is actually a good idea to keep your doctor informed and updated about any symptoms you experience while taking methadone. They may adjust and readjust your dose as necessary, or just switch to another medication entirely.
Methadone Risks
Not everyone can take methadone. Make sure you inform your healthcare provider if you have a heart disease, lung disease, heart rhythm disorder, breathing problems, liver disease, urinary problems, kidney disease, gallbladder problems, pancreas problems, thyroid problems, or an electrolyte imbalance. Also inform your doctor if you have a history of head injury, seizures, or brain tumor.
Methadone maintenance treatment may not be right for you if you have a medical condition that requires you to take sedatives. As an opioid, methadone will interact with sedatives and it may lead to slowed breathing or slowed heart rate, which can be dangerous.
Using too much methadone can still lead to drug dependence even though this medication is typically used for those with an addiction to opioids. Too much exposure to methadone may cause your brain to start relying on it for pain relief. Eventually, you will have to take more just to experience the same effects. If you suddenly stop taking methadone at this point, you may go into withdrawal.
Methadone Abuse
Methadone is mainly used to reduce cravings and curb addiction, particularly for those who are addicted to opioids. But even this heavily-regulated drug is not safe from getting abused. As an opioid, methadone also has potentially addictive properties.
Just like heroin or morphine, methadone can get you hooked. The difference is that it does not produce the same levels of euphoria as heroin and other opioids. Methadone can still give you a euphoric high even though it is formulated to block these pleasurable sensations, but its euphoric effects are limited. With a large enough dosage, you can still get high on methadone. Keep in mind that this also increases the risk of overdose drastically. As an opioid, it can slow down the central nervous system and the brain’s functions, meaning an overdose can be potentially fatal.
Methadone Overdose
Overdose usually happens when too much of a medication is taken within a short period of time. It can also happen when you mix two substances together like alcohol and opioids. If you take methadone with another drug that can slow your respiratory functions, it could be lethal. These drugs can slow your breathing and your heart rate to dangerous levels.
Overdose is also more likely to happen if someone takes methadone without a prescription. As we mentioned earlier, methadone is not suitable for everyone. Just because someone is in pain doesn’t mean methadone should be their painkiller.
You need to know what the symptoms of a methadone overdose are so you can watch out for them.
Common overdose symptoms associated with methadone are the following: slow breathing, slow heart rate, weak muscles, cold and clammy skin, small pupils, loss of consciousness, and severe drowsiness. In some cases, patients experience dizziness, discoloration of the nails and fingertips, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and hypertension.
This situation requires immediate medical attention because it can be fatal.
Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms
Someone who has been taking methadone for a significant period of time may experience withdrawal symptoms once they quit. This is the body’s reaction to the sudden absence of methadone after adjusting to its constant presence.
Methadone withdrawal symptoms may appear around 24 to 36 hours after the last intake. In terms of duration and severity of the symptoms, it may vary from person to person. Withdrawal may last from 2 to 3 weeks up to 6 months.
Common withdrawal symptoms of methadone include: anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, excessive sweating, runny nose, watery eyes, yawning, and difficulty sleeping.
Withdrawal may seek like a flu, but the difference is that it can stay severe for several days. During withdrawal, the patient may experience intense drug cravings. The worst phase of withdrawal is the first week, but the symptoms usually start to dissipate after that.
Methadone Addiction and Treatment
Yes, methadone is supposed to treat addiction, but there are cases wherein the person developed an addiction for the medication that was supposed to help treat them. As an opioid, methadone has that addictive potential. Your body will build up tolerance and eventually become dependent.
In a medical setting, healthcare professionals can administer methadone properly so you are not tempted to misuse it. You will know you have developed an addiction when you compulsively take methadone even if you are already suffering from its adverse effects.
Remember that methadone addiction does not just affect your body and mind, it also affects the people around you. Addiction can ruin your relationship with other people and hurt your loved ones.
Treatment is available for those who need it. You may have to undergo inpatient treatment or residential rehab wherein they can give you round the clock support as you try to beat your addiction. During rehab you will get to the bottom of your substance use disorder, your triggers, your stressors, and your unhealthy thoughts. Medical detox will help you flush out the drug from your system so that you can get sober again. Meanwhile behavioral therapy and counseling will help you stay sober.
You will also learn healthy coping mechanisms that will help you as you step back into the real world.
Look for a rehab facility near you today and check out their treatment programs for methadone addiction if you or someone you love is struggling with it. Your road to recovery starts today.
Rehab is Your Best Chance
Treatment is an addicted individualʼs best option if they want to recover. Beating an addiction not only requires eliminating the physical dependence, but also addressing the behavioral factors that prevent them from wanting to get better. Simply quitting may not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Some people quit for a while, and then take drugs or alcohol again, only to overdose because they did not detox properly. Recovery involves changing the way the patient feels, thinks, and behaves.
