Methadone Addiction Help | Methadone Abuse Signs

What can be used to treat addiction, yet be addictive in itself? A drug known as methadone is prescribed to treat pain in cancer patients, or for those who have had surgery. They also prescribe it as a substitute for other opiate drugs during treatments for drug abuse. Opiates such as methadone relieve pain and help with sleep, […]

Like other opioids, methadone can alter the way the brain feels pain. This is why doctors use it as a substitute drug during treatments for drug abuse. Methadone can help manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent addicts from experiencing highs from other opiates.

You cannot obtain methadone without a prescription, but it is very easy to obtain if you know a recovering addict. Lasting longer than other forms of opioids, methadone is a highly addictive, powerful, dangerous drug, which should never be taken with other drugs or alcohol. Luckily, there are varying ways to treat methadone abuse.

Signs of Methadone Use

Opioids such as methadone can impact the brain and the body. Using methadone on a long-term basis is a sign of addiction.

Some of the other side effects of methadone abuse include:

vomiting
contracted pupils
fatigue
depression
restlessness
dizziness and fainting
diminished libido

Other symptoms of methadone addiction include:

problems with lungs and the respiratory system
opioid-induced constipation
changes in menstrual cycles or pregnancy complications
craving for methadone

Methadone addiction in California can cause overdoses. That is, taking too much methadone could lead to:

decreased heart rates
slowed breathing
pinpoint pupils
clammy and cold skin

Methadone addiction treatment in California can treat symptoms of methadone addiction to prevent overdoses from occurring.

Detox of Methadone and Withdrawal of Methadone

It seems simple: to remove the effects of methadone from a person’s body, you take away his or her methadone, right?

Some methadone removal processes are easier than others. Some are more comfortable, while some are much worse. The worst removal processes are abrupt, and require an addict to stop using all methadone entirely, which is known as quitting “cold turkey.” The trouble is, this kind of detox of methadone can produce severe side effects during methadone withdrawal. An addict might be in severe pain, suffer from depression, and even die during the detox and withdrawal processes.

Methadone addiction treatment in California is a much safer option. Oddly enough, centers often use methadone during detox and withdrawal. Professionals at these centers prescribe increasingly smaller amounts of methadone, but still provide enough so the body receives some of the methadone that it craves. Such centers might also prescribe methadone or other types of medications to help manage withdrawals from other types of opioids.

Using Therapy to Treat Methadone Addiction in California

Methadone abuse affects the mind, as well as the body, which is why therapy is such a vital component of methadone addiction treatment in California. Therapy can help you to discover why you are addicted to methadone in the first place. You will then take steps to avoid things, people, and places that trigger methadone abuse in the future.

Patients might discover they became addicted to methadone because they used methadone as a part of treatment to treat other forms of drug addiction. If you cannot use methadone, you may wonder how your addiction can be treated. Fortunately, methadone addiction treatment in California at Monarch Shores offers other treatment solutions.

Patients at treatment centers might receive

other types of prescription medications.
holistic treatments such as relaxation and yoga techniques or nutritional counseling.
different types of therapy and programs.

Types of therapy and programs used to treat methadone addiction in California can include

Individual therapy. Methadone users meet one-on-one with therapists.
Group therapy. Methadone users meet with other methadone users, often with a therapist to guide them.
Family therapy. Methadone users and families meet with therapists.
12 Step programs and non-12 Step programs. These programs also allow methadone users to meet with each other. These programs also exist outside of rehab centers, and are used to care for recovering addicts after they leave inpatient rehab centers.

Treating Methadone Addiction in California

Family members and friends are instrumental in helping you to confront and treat your methadone addiction. They might hold interventions to convince addicts to seek treatment. Those messages and visits could help recovering addicts while they receive treatment. Finally, family and friends can provide drug-free environments and continued support for loved ones after they leave treatment.

Or friends and family members could make a person’s methadone abuse worse. If that is the case, people might find that visiting an inpatient rehab facility to receive methadone addiction treatment in California is the best solution. This type of treatment physically removes the addict from the harmful environment. This can be very beneficial if family members and friends are using methadone or other substances, since patients will not have to face those kinds of temptation during treatment.

Of course, rehab does not last forever. Recovering addicts worry about facing the same temptations when they return home. Effective methadone addiction treatment in California addresses this problem by establishing aftercare when rehab ends. This might involve finding places for patients in group therapy, often in the form of 12 Step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous. Or, aftercare might involve arranging therapy sessions, or other types of group therapy.

Substance abuse is a chronic disease, requiring long-term treatment. Continuous care can help former methadone users stay sober, and prevent relapse. Methadone addiction treatment in California at Monarch Shores can provide this ongoing care—get in contact today, and learn how you can move from your methadone addiction to a life of sobriety.

Are alcohol and drugs ruining your life?

We have taken the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of exposure and transmission of the Coronavirus to those in our treatment programs, allowing them to focus on their recovery.

Find Help Now

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance use disorder, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.