Methadone is a slow-acting opioid analgesic sometimes used as a mild pain reliever. Methadone clinics often prescribe it to people to help reduce the symptoms of heroin and opiate withdrawal. Unfortunately, methadone is also habit-forming, and many individuals who originally take it to assist with the treatment of heroin and other powerful opiates inevitably develop a methadone addiction. Learn more about Methadone addiction rehab and substance use treatment at Crestview Recovery.
Why is Methadone Still So Common?
Like all opioids, methadone changes the way the body perceives pain by turning on the brain’s feel-good sensors. When individuals take it exactly as their physicians prescribe for managing heroin and opiate withdrawal, it’s highly effective as a form of short-term treatment.
Doctors commonly prescribe this medication for three basic reasons:
- It’s a very effective oral medication.
- Its effectiveness has a long duration.
- It continues to be effective even after long-term use.
When Methadone Use Turns Into Methadone Addiction
When people take methadone like they’re supposed to, the medication rarely causes problems. However, if they take it more often or in larger doses than they should, the risk for dependency increases significantly. Over a period of long-term or heavy usage, the brain starts to rely on methadone to function correctly. If an individual tries to quit using, his or her body will react by going into withdrawal mode as the brain works to reset itself to normal function.
Side Effects of Methadone
Methadone is sometimes described as “liquid handcuffs” because some doctors recommend that people stay in methadone substance use treatment for the rest of their lives. Side effects of methadone vary from person to person, but they often include the following:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- General weakness
- Mood swings
- Difficulty urinating
Treatment For Methadone Addiction
If you or someone you care about has an addiction to methadone, you might be surprised to find out that there are top-level and compassionate addiction treatment programs available. These facilities can help you kick this destructive habit. You don’t have to waste more years of your life fighting to get clean, only to fall back into repeated relapse.
At Crestview Recovery, we put individuals who are struggling with addiction on the path to a sober and independent lifestyle. Our comprehensive treatment plans identify and address each of our guest’s needs based on their own personal history with addiction. We also provide dual diagnosis treatment to anyone who has a co-occurring mental condition.
Though we don’t offer detox services at our facility, we are more than happy to provide our guests with detox referrals to an off-site location. Some of the other services and addiction treatment programs we offer at Crestview Recovery include:
- Outpatient drug rehab center
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive therapies including individual therapy and trauma therapy
- Men’s drug rehab
- Women’s drug rehab
- Extra amenities like white water rafting, skiing, and snowboarding
Whether you’re a first-timer or have past unsuccessful experiences with other rehab programs, we’re confident that our residential treatment program can help you achieve true and long-lasting recovery.
Will a Methadone Clinic Help Me?
For a methadone clinic to be effective in the long term, you need to relearn certain life skills and coping mechanisms to help you manage stress and avoid the urge to use again in the future. While a methadone clinic may help you stop using other opioids, you will need to take part in therapy before the healing really begins. Maintaining real and enduring sobriety will require a daily commitment on your part. Let us teach you how to stay focused and dedicated to this positive life change.
You Don’t Have to Fight Methadone Addiction Alone
If you or a loved one has a problem with methadone addiction, Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, can help. Our premier rehab center is run by caring and experienced therapists or counselors. Your recovery will be in good hands, from start to finish. Contact us at 866.262.0531 to learn more about our unique rehab experience.
