- Adderall
- Alcohol
- Barbiturates
- Chronic Relapse
- Cocaine
- Codependency
- Compulsive Hoarding
- Crack Cocaine
- Crystal Meth
- Dual Diagnosis
- Eating Disorder
- Ecstasy
- Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- Gender Specific Issues
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Inhalants
- Ketamine (Special K)
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
- Marijuana
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- OxyContin
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Process Addiction
- Ritalin and Concerta
- Sex and Love Addiction
- Steroids
- Suboxone
- Synthetic Cannabis
- Trauma
- Valium
- Video Game Addiction
- Xanax
Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opioid developed and used primarily for the treatment of opioid dependence and addiction. When properly administered it is an effective substitute for heroin, morphine, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percocet and other synthetic opiates and opium derivatives. Its effects are a long lasting, and can relieve withdrawal symptoms of other drugs. Patients participating in a well-supervised and monitored treatment program, can reduce or eliminate their use of other opioids.
Methadone Addiction
Controversy surrounds methadone treatments because opponents point out that it is merely substituting one addictive substance for another – much like the development of heroin as a treatment for morphine addiction. Because methadone replicates the same effects as opiates, addiction to it has similar physical and psychological characteristics. Symptoms of addiction and abuse include:
- Abdominal pain
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Itching
- Lowered sex drive
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Tooth decay
- Vomiting
Use of methadone by pregnant women adversely affects the fetus, who will be born addicted to the drug.
Treatment and Recovery
Treatment for methadone addiction follows the same pattern as treatment for other opiates. The patient first enters a detoxification unit and will participate in either a program of gradual reduction of the drug or will undergo a rapid detoxification. In the latter, the client receives medication to deal with withdrawal symptoms while unconscious. In the former, the individual experiences the full range of withdrawal symptoms. Among these are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Pain
After the detoxification process is complete, the individual will enter an inpatient rehabilitation center for at least ninety days. A therapeutic community approach helps the patient develop new ways to cope with problems, and ways to reorganize his or her life in order to create distance from the conditions that contributed to the addiction. For teen-aged addicts, other successful treatment programs include wilderness recovery programs, therapeutic boarding schools, or outpatient therapy. In all situations, a post-rehabilitation support community and program are needed.