In few cases, it will be better to substitute one drug with another, which is also called harm reduction. It can make a lot of difference in your health condition. Methadone is also a drug which is often used as a replacement therapy for many drugs. If it is used under the supervision of any medical professional then it can be much safer alternative in comparison to any uncontrolled opioid abuse.
Read further this small writeup to learn more about this treatment. If you already had made many unsuccessful attempts for quitting opioids then Methadone can help you to get rid of it safely and comfortably.
Any side effects?
As such, methadone is considered safer as compared to heroin; however there are few side effects which you might experience after taking it. They are:
- Constipation.
- Dry mouth.
- Menstrual irregularities in women
- Nausea.
- Reduced sleep.
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Sweating.
- Vomiting.
- Weight gain.
Also following are few signs of overdose of methadone.
- Dizziness.
- Excess sedation.
- Frothing at mouth.
- Nausea.
- Pinpoint pupils.
- Shallow breathing.
- Slurred speech.
- Slow pulse.
- Snoring.
- Unconsciousness.
- Vomiting.
What other treatment you will need?
Methadone treatment is considered to be quite effective however if following other treatments are also combined with it then it becomes much more effective.
- 12-step program.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Contingency management.
- Individual as well as group counseling
- Motivational incentives.
- Motivational interviewing.
- Support groups.
Will this methadone treatment continue longer?
Methadone is basically a long-term treatment. On a regular basis, you will have to take the drug and around 25% patients will be fully cured in short time while 50% may need drug on and off for lifetime and rest 25% will take methadone daily. Following are the benefits of this treatment:
- Decrease the HIV and hepatitis spread.
- Lower the depression level in addicts.
- Improve the ability of the addicts to continue in their job and also maintain normal family life.
- Improve the health condition.
- Increase retention of the addiction treatment.
- Lower the intravenous injection risk.
- Reduce commercial-sex work.
- Reduce criminal behavior.
- Reduce needle sharing.
- Reduce any overdose or death due to addiction.
- Reduce suicide amongst addicts.
- Reduce relapse risk.
- Reduce risk of re-incarceration.