Methadone is a medication used to manage pain and treat addiction to opioid drugs such as heroin. When treated as prescribed by a physician, methadone can be useful in weaning individuals off other drugs. But when abused or used for a prolonged period, methadone, which is an opiate, can be very addictive. However, through a comprehensive treatment program in Florida, one can recover from methadone addiction. To learn more about this treatment, contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306.
What Are the Effects of Methadone Addiction?
Methadone works by binding the same brain receptors that opioid drugs bind. Due to its nature, methadone can stay in the body for an extended period, which helps relieve the painful symptoms of the drugs. But this nature can be counterproductive in the sense that it can build up quickly and remain in the body for a long time. Resultantly, an individual may develop tolerance and need more drug to achieve the same effect. This tolerance can easily lead to dependence and, ultimately, addiction. Some of the effects of methadone addiction include:
Social Problems
Like in any other addiction, methadone addiction can take a toll on every facet of an individual’s life. For instance, methadone addiction can wreak havoc in an individual’s relationships with family and friends. Additionally, addiction can cause the loss of a job when an individual fails to perform at work or due to absenteeism.
Adverse Effects on Physical Health
Methadone addiction can cause severe damage to the physical body of an individual. The impact can range from mild symptoms to serious health problems such as:
- Liver Damage: Methadone and other opiates can cause liver damage. When alcohol is added to the equation, the damage can be even more severe. In the worst case, a person can suffer liver failure.
- Gastrointestinal Damage: Taking methadone for a prolonged period can cause damage to the stomach and other intestines.
- Impaired Cognitive Function: In the brain’s attempt to compensate for the changes that methadone addiction causes, it may lower the brain’s ability to think and learn.
- Overdose: An overdose occurs when someone exceeds the dosage limits of a drug. That is why it is vital to follow a doctor’s prescription. Unfortunately, people who abuse methadone take large amounts to experience the euphoric effects of the drugs. For this reason, an overdose is likely to happen and can be a dangerous situation with life-threatening symptoms.
What Are the Signs of Methadone Addiction?
The primary sign of methadone addiction is the inability to stop using the drug despite suffering adverse effects. Other common signs include:
- High drug tolerance
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- Behaving aggressively when confronted on the issue
- Lack of control over drug use
- A relentless search for drugs while neglecting core responsibilities
Treatment Options for Methadone Abuse and Addiction
Methadone, like any other opioid, can be very challenging to quit. You can experience severe withdrawal symptoms such as cramps, nausea, and stomach aches. While methadone withdrawal is similar to opioids such as heroin, the drug stays longer in the body, which means that the symptoms can take much longer. That is why people trying to quit methadone addiction should only detox under medical supervision in a residential treatment center.
A residential treatment center offers a safe, secure, and peaceful environment free from the outside world’s distractions and triggers. There are several therapy treatment options you can enroll in during your methadone addiction recovery. Among them include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy program
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Dual diagnosis therapy treatment for co-occurring disorders
Get Methadone Detoxification at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
There is no cure for methadone addiction, but you can manage addiction and achieve long-term sobriety through a treatment program. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we provide individualized detox treatment to people struggling with methadone addiction.
If you notice any signs of Methadone addiction, don’t let it take a toll on your life. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306, or contact us online to learn about the treatment programs available.
