Methadone is a laboratory-made, artificially created opioid, most often used as a painkiller for those dealing with severe pain. However, it also serves as a medication to help individuals struggling with a long-term opioid use disorder. Opioid addiction and opiate addiction can be managed through the strictly administered use of methadone. However, methadone is also an addictive and dangerous substance in and of itself—and often, well-intentioned methadone use spirals quite inadvertently into methadone addiction.
Recovery is possible, but the road to recovery can be long, encompassing both clinical detox and inpatient treatment. The first step is to understand what methadone addiction is and how it works. Here at New Start Recovery, our substance abuse treatment program uses medication-assisted treatment when the need arises. We offer complete care for individuals who may have become dependent on methadone.
Understanding Methadone Addiction
Methadone works on the same opioid receptors that morphine does—and for that matter, heroin. This allows it to be such an effective substitute for these addictive narcotics, making it a useful tool for those in opiate addiction recovery. It is also what makes it addictive in its own right.
Methadone is a legal drug. Because it is used to curb addiction, it is not as heavily enforced or regulated as other drugs—yet it is mightily powerful. It can create intense physical and psychological dependencies.
Most troubling is that those using this drug to curb their opiate habits are at the highest risk for methadone addiction because they already have histories of opiate abuse.
Methadone addiction can be intense. The brain develops a tolerance for methadone’s effects, which means that higher and higher doses are needed to achieve the same high and stave off withdrawal pains.
It is imperative to seek professional treatment for methadone addiction. Though it may seem hopeless, it never is: Recovery is possible for anyone with the right clinical detox and treatment programs. Contact New Start Recovery at [Direct] to start the process today.
33%
Methadone accounts for nearly a third of opioid-associated deaths.
120,00 People
About 120,000 people take Methadone to control their heroin addiction.
4,418 Deaths
The number of deaths in the United States involving methadone poisoning was 4,418 in 2011, 26% of total deaths from opioid poisoning.
Causes of Methadone Addiction
As with any addiction, determining a specific cause is difficult. Genetic, environmental, and social factors can all play a role to varying degrees and combinations. Past exposure to opiates, and histories of opiate abuse, are especially big giveaways and often point toward a greater propensity for methadone addiction.
Explore Treatment for Methadone Addiction at New Start Recovery
Methadone addiction is never hopeless, and no one is beyond recovery. Because the drug is so powerful and the withdrawal symptoms can be so significant, it is critical to seek clinical care.
Inpatient and outpatient programs can help provide lifelong recovery from methadone addiction—especially when aftercare and long-term sobriety programs are also sought. Here at New Start Recovery, we offer numerous addiction treatment programs, such as:
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Sober living program
- Alumni program
The first step, though, is to seek clinical detox. Detox rids the body and mind of methadone’s effects and provides a foundation for ongoing recovery. Begin that process today. Call the addiction recovery specialists at New Start Recovery, and you will be on your way to recovery. Claim your recovery and begin the process of healing. We offer 24/7 free assessments over the phone. Take that first step toward a better life. Call us at [Direct].