Getting over an opioid addiction isn’t easy. Sometimes, going from abusing opioids to being abstinent requires a middle ground to make the process easier. Methadone is a drug that serves that purpose. While you may have heard of this drug, you might still be wondering, “what is methadone?”
What Is Methadone?
Opioids such as codeine, heroin, and morphine come from the opium poppy plant. Methadone is a man-made synthetic opioid. It’s dissimilar to natural opioids but works on the same areas of the brain. The similarities between the natural and synthetic opioids make methadone an effective treatment for opioid addiction.
How does methadone differ from natural opioids? It lasts longer in the body and has a much slower onset. Instead of injecting methadone like other opioids such as heroin, people take it orally. Taking it orally prevents the rush or high that people experience with heroin.
How Does Methadone Help Fight Addiction?
Methadone acts as a good middle ground for people to stop opioid abuse. The withdrawal phase is much less severe than withdrawing from normal opioids. With less severe withdrawal, people are more likely to stick to a gradual dose reduction.
Under the right supervision, methadone can help people overcome addiction. However, effective methadone treatment requires the assistance of rehab programs. For example, therapy still plays a critical role in helping people avoid relapse after detox.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Using Methadone?
Using methadone is a great way for heroin abusers to make a gradual transition from abusing drugs to achieving sobriety. However, some issues can still arise when individuals use methadone without professional supervision.
First, methadone is still highly addictive. While it doesn’t give people the same quality high as other narcotics, it can still cause addiction. People who don’t have an opioid addiction problem should never take methadone. In some cases, the drug serves as a gateway for them to begin using other prescription pills or heroin.
People should never combine methadone with other drugs, especially those that interact with the central nervous system. For example, they should never take it with barbiturates or alcohol.
Get the Expert Help That You Need to Quit Opioid Addiction at Crestview Recovery
Even with the help of methadone, people need to seek expert help when they want to overcome addiction. There’s a lot more to beating addiction than just getting through withdrawal. At Crestview Recovery, we can help you answer the question: what is methadone going to be able to do for you? We offer a number of helpful treatment programs including:
- Methadone addiction rehab
- Residential rehab
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Partial hospitalization
- Aftercare
Don’t let addiction ruin your life or the lives of the people you love. Reach out to our friendly experts today, and find out how we can help you overcome addiction. Call us today at 866.262.0531 for more information.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
