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Methadone is an opioid medication that has been used for more than 30 years in the treatment of opiate addiction. People who suffer from a heroin addiction receive methadone as a substitute because it occupies the same opioid receptors in the human brain, thereby stabilizing the withdrawal symptoms that allow an addict to change their behavior and discontinue using heroin.
Though methadone was originally developed by the Germans during WWII for the treatment of severe pain, today methadone is now primarily used for the treatment of narcotic addiction. Methadone effects last for up to 24 hours, which makes it necessary to only administer one dose per day to people in heroin detoxification and maintenance programs. Methadone is available in liquid form or in a methadone mixture, tablets and injectable ampoules; however, some of these drugs are diverted and become available for sale on the streets. Methadone abuse is a common problem in people with a heroin addiction and overcoming an addiction can best be facilitated with the help of methadone rehab.
Methadone generally encompasses the entire spectrum of opioid side effects which includes tolerance, physical and psychological dependence. A considerably dangerous side effect of methadone abuse is respiratory depression, hypotension and bronchospasm. More commonly seen side effects of methadone abuse include nausea, vomiting, sedation, vertigo, edema (swelling), muscle spasms, difficulty breathing, slow and shallow respiration, pinpoint pupils, bluish-skin tint, weakened pulse rate, stomach or intestinal cramping, constipation, low blood pressure, drowsiness, disorientation and coma. The side effects of methadone abuse can be very serious and if a person has a valid addiction they need the help of a methadone rehab facility.
Being an opiate, when a person uses methadone regularly it causes a physical dependency. The physical changes due to methadone the effects are similar to that of other opiates, including heroin; suppression of the cough reflex, pupil constriction, drowsiness and constipation. Methadone is long-acting and can have effects for up to 36-hours, and remains in the body for several days. The intensity of methadone withdrawal can be a painful experience for an addict, making rehabilitation and detoxification almost impossible to handle alone. Methadone rehab facilities know how to effectively treat an addiction to methadone and can help an addict make it through the rough transitional period with the help of qualified rehab specialists and a team of skilled medical professionals.
Methadone is not an innocent drug, and in the case of methadone being used with other drugs, a person can experience an overdose. Abusing methadone or using it improperly increases a person's risk of an overdose. Methadone should never be used in conjunction with other narcotic medications, muscle relaxers or other medications that cause drowsiness or shallow breathing. The drug should also be used only as prescribed and under the direction of a licensed medical professional. Methadone should also not be used by people who are taking certain antibiotics, diuretics, HIV medications, MAOI inhibitors or seizure medications.
If you or someone you love is facing methadone addiction, you should know you are not alone. With the assistance of a methadone rehab facility, it is entirely possible to beat the addiction and go on to live a drug-free life. Contact the admissions office of Transformations Treatment Centers today for further assistance. |
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