What happens when the solution to a problem becomes the problem? That’s the dilemma drug treatment professionals face when a recovering patient becomes addicted to methadone. Methadone is a “tapering” drug doctors prescribe to help with opiate addiction treatment. While patients are on methadone, doctors will closely monitor the patient’s progress. They are looking for two things–an indication the patient no longer needs to use the substance or signs of methadone abuse.
About Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT)
The human body will very quickly metabolize drugs like heroin and Fentanyl. That accounts for the speed at which users get high on these drugs. Unfortunately, these types of opioids have a very short life-span in the body. It necessitates the addict continually inject or ingest more of the substance to stay high and avoid withdrawal.
When the addicted individual succumbs to a deep-rooted opioid addiction, the process of suddenly stopping the addictive behavior is quite dangerous. A good methadone detox center will be acutely aware of this fact. In the worst cases of opioid addiction, a standard detox program isn’t going to be sufficient. The withdrawal process is just too dangerous. That’s why doctors may prescribe methadone maintenance therapy (MMT).
This is how MMT works. Methadone has a 22-hour half-life in the human body. That makes it far less potent and easier to control. During MMT, the addicted person’s body gets adequate time to adjust to lower doses of opioids until the withdrawal symptoms diminish and the patient is safe.
Signs of Methadone Abuse
Methadone is an opioid. As such, it is subject to abuse, just like any other drug in this class. Over time, signs of methadone abuse become apparent. It shouldn’t surprise anyone to find out these signs are quite similar to those found with heroin or painkiller abuse. They include:
- Recurring problems with relationships and responsibilities
- Manipulating doctors to obtain more of the substance
- Manipulating doses to create a better high
- Going to the streets to find more of the substance
- Financial problems
Medically-Monitored Detox at Serenity House Detox & Recovery
As a detox only facility, the counselors at Serenity House Detox & Recovery use methadone in our medical detox programs. We use this approach when we feel it’s necessary to keep a patient safe during withdrawal. In all our programs, that’s our primary objective. Our other available services include:
- Substance-specific drug detox programs
- Relapse prevention programs
- Addiction counseling and therapy
- Addiction education
- Gender-specific detox programs
If you or a loved one are showing signs of methadone abuse, someone needs to get back into treatment. At our Jupiter and Fort Lauderdale facilities, we can help patients get back on track with recovery. For more information about our detox services, you can call us at 866-294-5306. If you can focus on a full recovery, you’ll find that life is full of great surprises.
