LIFE FIRST THERAPY
  • Meet Dr. Holly
  • DOT/SAP Assessment
  • Speaker/Trainer
  • Licensed Professional Consultation
  • Good Stuff
    • Merch
    • Features
    • Events
    • Blogs

Using Methadone in Recovery

10/24/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
Methadone can be used to treat persons with an opiate use disorder. Methadone works by occupying areas of the brain that opiates target to prevent withdrawal symptoms or make them less severe for those that have stopped using opiates. Methadone also helps with eliminating cravings for opiates. Withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Sweating
  • Aches and pains
  • Restlessness
  • Tremor
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Runny eyes and nose
  • Feeling hot and cold
 
Many people stay on methadone long-term and some people gradually reduce their dose to completely stop taking methadone. Methadone should not be taken with any other illicit substances and alcohol. The impact of mixing benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, etc.) and methadone can be deadly. There is an increased risk of overdose when benzodiazepines are taken with Methadone. Since Methadone is a depressant that slows the central nervous system, which includes heart rate and breathing, so does benzodiazepines. As a result, the combination of taking the two can slow the heart rate, risking the heart for cardiac arrest and stopping one from breathing.
 
Methadone can be prescribed and lasts longer in the body to help those with an opiate use disorder once someone stops using. Most persons are referred to a community treatment center for assessment. Most treatment facilities have a general practitioner on site that can complete the assessment. The assessment usually includes taking details of the person’s health, social circumstances, past and current drug taking, identifying if methadone is needed or appropriate, an examination, urine analysis to confirm any illicit substances being used and assessment of what the person needs are at this time. In addition, to those that may have been using heroin intravenously, a blood test for HIV, liver function and Hepatitis A, B and C are conducted.
 
After the assessment, an initial low dose is prescribed. The low dose is prescribed out of safety and can be adjusted frequently. This stage is very important because this is the phase where a regular maintenance dose is identified over a few week period. The maximum effect can vary person to person as it takes 2-4 hours for Methadone to reach its peak effect level.  
 
Once the correct dose is identified, the person is now in what is called Methadone maintenance. Methadone is a once-daily liquid dose taken under supervision of a nurse or pharmacist who dispenses it. Methadone must be taken regularly and if three or more doses are missed, the body may lose its ability to break down the drug. If three or more doses are missed, persons can return to taking Methadone, but at a lower dose. Some people that have been on Methadone for a while will want to detox. This often takes years as it is safer to stay on Methadone than to detox before the person is ready.
​
People that use Methadone are more likely to stay off heroin if they are supported by friends and family. Too often, family and friends do not support persons with opiate use disorders because of their lack of knowledge regarding Methadone. Methadone is a drug used to help those persons with an opiate use disorder so they no longer use opiates. It can be viewed as taking medication for high blood pressure or insulin for type 2 diabetes. The way people can change their diet to reverse type 2 diabetes while taking medication is the same as those using Methadone to reverse their opiate use disorder. Support from loved ones goes a long way for a person using Methadone. Persons with opiate use disorders also do well when attending outpatient treatment coupled with group and individualized therapy. It is much harder to do it alone.
 
Please educate a friend, coworker and loved one on the benefits of supporting a person with opiate use disorder when they have made the choice to use Methadone in their recovery efforts. There are plenty of successful people around us, you may never know, that have or currently use Methadone. As America is going through the opioid epidemic, being educated on the various ways Methadone can help just might save your loved one’s life.

1 Comment
Daisy James link
5/15/2023 04:49:45 pm

It's good to know that methadone can help treat someone who has an opiate addiction. My brother has struggled with opiate addiction for the past couple of years, and he was talking about how he wants to start his recovery process sometime this month. I'll pass this information along to him so he can look into finding a methadone treatment clinic for his addiction.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    February 2021
    May 2020
    April 2020
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    About Me

    I am a loving and perceptive therapist. I helps professional women of color! I work collaboratively with my clients to build their self-confidence. We identify tools that are needed to build a career and live a life worth living! I listen quietly and attentively remembering details to tell truths that need to be spoken. 
    ​
    Learn more ​About me

    Let's Connect

CONTACT ME

Phone: 
267-598-LIFE (5433)
Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address
2031 66th Ave, #14176
Philadelphia, PA 19138
  
​If you are in a crisis, online therapy is not the best option for you.
​Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 or text "988" 
​
​Disclaimer: Please note, the information offered on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, therapy or psychological advice, nor does it constitute a client/therapist relationship. Please consult a physician for individual advice regarding your own personal health and well-being. Thank you.
​

© 2017-2024 Life First Therapy | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
  • Meet Dr. Holly
  • DOT/SAP Assessment
  • Speaker/Trainer
  • Licensed Professional Consultation
  • Good Stuff
    • Merch
    • Features
    • Events
    • Blogs