Methadone Addiction Treatment

Methadone Abuse and Addiction 

Although methadone is used as a way to curb drug cravings and help patients detox from other opioids, it’s a heavy-regulated drug. So how could someone abuse methadone if they don’t have access to it themselves? Methadone comes in various forms, including a pill form marketed as Dolophine, a dispersible tablet, a wafer marketed under the brand name Diskets, and an oral liquid marketed as Methadose. While clients might have to go to a clinic daily to receive liquid methadone doses, there are other forms of this drug that a person may be prescribed and use at home that could be misused.  Methadone tablets come in doses of 5 to 10 milligrams each, while the liquid formulation contains 10 milligrams per milliliter (ml). It is considered abuse any time methadone is taken beyond its prescribed dose or intent as directed by a doctor.  The pills may be swallowed, crushed up and snorted, or dissolved in water and then injected directly into the bloodstream (intravenously). As an opioid drug, methadone causes changes to brain chemistry that can lead to dependence.  The neurotransmitter dopamine is particularly activated by methadone. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is linked to elevated mood, motivation, pleasure, a sense of well-being, and reward. When taken in high doses, methadone can trigger the release of dopamine and the brain’s reward system, creating a euphoric high that encourages further drug-taking behavior.  As regulated as methadone may seem, many people can get their hands on this drug and use it for the wrong reasons, and the misuse of methadone is only getting worse. For instance, the number of methadone-related poisonings increased from 790 to 5,420 between 1999 and 2006, which is mainly attributed to the drug’s increased use for pain. Additionally, the number of people treated for abuse of other opiates, including methadone, increased from 28,235 to 36,265 between 2000 and 2001.2 Research also shows that about four million methadone prescriptions for pain are written annually, and the drug causes about 5,000 overdose deaths per year. While most overdoses involve drug mixtures, methadone accounted for 40% of deaths involving a single drug in 2009, which is twice as many as for any other prescription opioid. Based on these facts, the need for more methadone addiction treatment centers is apparent. Fortunately, our Christian drug rehab offers methadone treatment that can help. 

Our Treatment for Methadone Addiction 

Our team members decide the best course of action for clients before they begin receiving any treatment through a clinical assessment to develop an effective plan. With that said, for most individuals, particularly those with opioid addictions, medically assisted detox is the first step in their treatment plan.  Medical detox is a medication-assisted form of care in which patients are slowly weaned off drugs and given medication (as needed) to alleviate their symptoms. Detoxing from methadone can last longer than detoxing from other opioids. Clients looking to quit methadone need to taper down their dosage to ensure they are at a safe level to fall within the acceptance criteria for withdrawal. Individuals who take high doses of methadone may require additional medical assistance to reduce their use before starting detox at our facility. Following medical detox, clients may then move forward in opioid addiction treatment on a residential or partial hospitalization level.  While residential treatment requires patients to live away from distractions at our facility, our PHP is best suited for those who have already undergone detox or other forms of care and have a less intensive form of addiction. Depending on the longevity and intensity of the person’s drug use, they may be placed in either inpatient or partial hospitalization care.  During treatment, clients will have the opportunity to work with our therapists to discuss the negative thoughts and behaviors that have contributed to their substance abuse. While it’s important to address major things such as detox, our Christian residential drug rehab believes in also focusing on changing clients’ daily habits to help them develop a sober lifestyle. 

A Methadone Addiction Treatment Option That Works

While there are very few options for methadone drug addiction treatment out there, our facility is one of them. Methadone, like any other opioid, can be difficult to quit without professional care.  While this drug isn’t known to be as powerfully addicting as heroin, it can lead to severe withdrawal and addiction if misused. Our Christian drug rehabilitation center offers various addiction treatment programs, including methadone and opioid addiction treatment, to help clients recover and get sober.