There are many advantages that you stand to enjoy with methadone addiction treatment. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is used to treat addiction to heroin, opioids and prescription painkillers. Effective as a painkiller, the feelings of euphoria that come with Methadone usage can make it highly addictive. Hence, the need for methadone addiction treatment. 

However, the decision to get methadone addiction treatment can be a tough one. Mostly, it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that you may be abusing methadone. However, we can help with that. Over the course of this blog, we will discuss professional methadone addiction treatment and the benefits you stand to enjoy from it.

How To Know That You’re Abusing Methadone

Due to the low cost and accessibility, methadone has been prescribed as a painkiller for many years. When used as a treatment for a prior addiction, its prescription and usage are closely monitored by medical professionals. However, over time, it is possible for monitoring levels to drop. This is where the problem of addiction usually creeps in.

Due to the combination of factors described above, more and more get exposed to methadone without medical supervision. Furthermore, this exposure is top of the list of reasons why the rate of methadone addiction is increasing in Canada. Since the primary usage of methadone is for medical purposes, most people can’t tell that they are addicted. Over the next few sections, we discuss how to know that you’re abusing methadone.

Methadone Addiction and Abuse: The Early Beginnings 

Methadone is a long-acting medication. Essentially, this means that it builds up in the body very quickly. Therefore, even one dosage over the prescribed limit can amount to an overdose.

Methadone has a half-life of 8-58 hours depending on your body’s metabolism. However, the painkilling effects last for a maximum of 8 hours. The extremely long half-life is a plus when it is used for addiction treatment. However, for painkilling usage, it’s a minus.

It means that if the pain returns before the next dosage, most people get tempted to turn to the pill. This raises the probability of overdose and abuse. Therefore if you notice any of the following, you’re starting to abuse methadone:

• When you use more than the prescribed dosage 
• Turning to the drug to deal with the pain
• Running out of the drug too quickly 

Methadone Abuse: Recreational Purposes

If you are taking methadone for any other purpose that isn’t medical, you’re abusing it. As a synthetic opiate, Methadone can provide similar feelings like other common opioids. As a result, a good number of people use it for recreational purposes. 

If you have been using the drug for recreational purposes, it’s recommended that you get expert help. This increases the chances of successfully weaning yourself off the drug without any issues.

Related article: What are the Treatments for Methadone Addiction | Addicted to Methadone

Why You Need Professional Help With Methadone Addiction

Some people may be able to quit methadone abuse cold-turkey. However, for others, this is impossible. Mostly, this scenario holds for people who have been abusing methadone for a long time. For people in this category, the best option is to get professional methadone addiction treatment. Here are the benefits you stand to enjoy when you pay the cost of methadone addiction treatment.

Increased chances of recovery

Methadone addiction treatments are experts with years of experience dealing with this kind of addiction. This experience is one you can’t trade off on by reading a number of blogs or talking to people that have dealt with methadone addiction in the past.

Experienced methadone addiction treatment professionals can use a wide array of treatments including:

• Behavioural therapy 
• Group support 
• Medical detox

Depending on your unique situation, methadone addiction treatment experts will be able to personalize a treatment plan that works for you. This increases the chances of long-term addiction recovery and sobriety.

Get Help Managing Side Effects

When trying to beat an addiction to methadone, the possibilities of a relapse are very real. In fact, a high percentage of people suffer a relapse after methadone addiction treatment. 

Perhaps it’s the pain, sometimes it’s a craving for the euphoric feeling that leads to a relapse. Whichever it is, professional addiction treatment experts can help you manage the short-term effects of methadone abuse. If it happens, one of the benefits of methadone addiction treatment is the extra help you get from professionals. This way, you can better manage the effects of relapse.

Some of the short-term effects of methadone abuse include the following:

• Agitation 
• Depressive episodes 
• Low blood pressure 
• Seizures 
• Overdose 
• Slowed breathing rate 

Managing an overdose 

If you’ve been abusing methadone for a long time, a relapse can lead to a possible overdose. In situations like this, the expertise and superior medical training of professionals can be a life-saver.

Additionally, a benefit of methadone addiction treatment is avoiding an overdose. Under the supervision of addiction treatment experts, recognizing the signs of a possible overdose is easier, making for effective intervention. Some warning signs that indicate a methadone overdose include:

• Shallow breathing 
• Difficulties staying awake 
• Clammy skin 
• Constructed eye pupils 
• Coma

Avoid the long-term effects of methadone abuse

Long-term methadone abuse can have a severe impact on mental as well as physical health. If you are thinking that you’ve been using methadone for too long, it’s never too late to get professional health. With long-term recovery and sobriety, you can avoid the following long-term side effects:

• Agitation 
• Decreases in sexual appetite 
• Dental issues 
• Clinical depression 
• Hallucinations 
• Irregularities in the menstrual cycle 
• Respiratory problems 
• Seizures 

Manage withdrawal symptoms

Just like other types of opioids, when you stop using methadone, it comes with predictable withdrawal symptoms. Although these symptoms take about 2-4 days before they start to manifest, they can be intense depending on your levels of dependency.

Professional addiction treatment experts can help you cope with the following symptoms of methadone withdrawal:

• Increased agitation 
• Anxiousness 
• Depression 
• Difficulties sleeping 
• Increase in heart rate, pulse and blood pressure 
• Difficulties breathing 
• General body pain and weakness
• Restless episodes 
• Vomiting 
• Strong cravings 
• Stomach pain 

Get Professional Methadone Addiction Treatment Today

Withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to manage without medical help. With professional assistance, you get access to medication-assisted treatment options and solutions to health complications.

Here at  Inspire Change Drug Rehab in Vancouver, we have multiple years of experience treating methadone addiction. Therefore, we can provide personalized treatment solutions that increase the chances of effective recovery. Call 888 5089 802 or send us a message to speak with an expert today!