Methadone Addiction

Methadone is a drug used in the treatment for people with a heroin addiction. People with an addiction to heroin are scared of the painful and severe withdrawal experienced when use is discontinued; taking methadone alleviates the likelihood of withdrawal severity.

Illegally acquiring methadone is becoming commonplace among people with a methadone addiction. Addiction to methadone can happen in any number of situations, such as the following:

• Lying to a physician and getting a higher than necessary dose of methadone
• Taking more methadone than is recommended
• Taking methadone in conjunction with other drugs, including alcohol
• Using methadone as a “topper” when taking other drugs or drinking alcohol
• Selling methadone to fund a heroin addiction

Tolerance and methadone addiction are dangerous, for many people who chronically misuse the drug; withdrawal can be painful and horrifying. One of the factors directly contributing to an addiction to methadone is the fact that heroin addicts using methadone for treatment purposes are given a prescription intended to last for a long period of time. As a result of having access to large amounts of methadone, an addict will sell the drug on the street. To prevent so much methadone from becoming available illegally, a clinic or pharmacy will dispense the drug on a daily basis and make the user ingest the drug under strict observation.

Methadone is a very dangerous medication that should only be used under the direction and supervision of a licensed medical professional. There have been cases of death reported in patients who were making the transition from opioid abuse to methadone. Methadone is a complex drug, just because a user may have a higher than normal tolerance to opioids does not eliminate the possibility of a methadone overdose.

When a user is withdrawing from methadone addiction, a wide variety of side effects can result, which include the following:

• Runny nose
• Chilliness
• Fever
• Goose bumps
• Tremors
• Dilated pupils
• Restlessness
• Flushing
• Involuntary twitching and kicking movements
• Anorexia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Gastrointestinal spasms
• Depression
• Weakness
• Anxiety

One of the most serious problems of a methadone addiction is the cardiovascular and respiratory side effects. The major hazards of an overdose of methadone can include respiratory depression, shock, cardiac arrest and death. An addiction to methadone is characterized by using the drug compulsively for non-medical reasons despite harm or risk of danger. Drug addiction is treatable, using a multi-disciplinary approach which includes therapy, counseling, detoxification and other modalities.

Addiction and abuse of methadone vary from physical dependence and tolerance. With addiction, a person will exhibit drug-seeking behavior and be unable to control the compulsion to use the substance. Abrupt cessation of methadone treatment or use can result in dangerous consequences to health and should only be done under the watchful supervision of trained medical professionals and rehab specialists.

If you or someone you love suffers from an addiction to methadone, there is help available. Please contact us today for further information.

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