About Methadone Detox Help

Methadone is a synthetic pain killer that was invented in Germany. It made its way into U.S. clinical trials in 1947; however, the drug failed to gain the popularity that doctors believed it would. By the 1950s, it was rarely prescribed and few people knew of its existence. It wasn't until 1964 that doctors discovered methadone could be used as a treatment for opiate addiction. One attraction of methadone as a treatment for narcotic addiction was that it takes a long time to build a tolerance to it. It wasn't long before methadone maintenance programs were springing up nationwide. Many narcotic addicts have stopped the vicious cycle of addiction by turning to methadone. Program participants are required to visit a clinic, usually on a daily basis, to receive their dose. As they progress in the program, some participants are allowed to take home several days' dosage at a time. However, they are still closely monitored with required visits to the clinic several times a week. Though methadone gained popularity as a treatment for narcotic addiction, it was also discovered that participants became physically dependent on it. If stopped without a proper detox program, withdrawal symptoms can last longer than withdrawal symptoms from heroin last. Methadone is a Schedule II drug, which means it is classified with a high abuse potential and is an accepted medical treatment option in the U.S.

Methadone clinics often have strict hours and require all participants to come early in the morning for their dose. This can present problems when one is trying to maintain a job, raise children, go to school and pursue interests. Transportation problems can arise in getting to the clinic at a certain time each day, which can prevent the participant from maintaining program protocol. Though building a tolerance to methadone takes longer than with other narcotics, it still occurs--which means the dosage amount must increase with time. Whether one is using methadone through a treatment program or buying it illegally on the street, there are several issues with stopping the drug "cold turkey." Withdrawal symptoms can include severe stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, insomnia, sweating and a heightened sense of anxiety. In some cases, these symptoms can be fatal. In addition, such rapid withdrawal symptoms can serve as a trigger for the addict to use illegal drugs again in an effort to stop the withdrawal. This carries health and legal risks. There are several types of detox methods available. Each person should examine the types and choose the one that best fits his lifestyle and needs.

One method of detoxing from methadone is to get on a Suboxone program. Suboxone has been a government-approved treatment for opiate addiction since 2000. Buprenorphine is the primary ingredient in Suboxone. which is a partial opioid agonist. Basically, Suboxone works by blocking the withdrawal symptoms completely. Doctors who are trained and authorized to dispense Suboxone meet with the patient in a medical office. Once the patient is stabilized on Suboxone, prescriptions can be written for several months at a time. Suboxone comes in pill form and is ingested by allowing it to melt under the tongue. Doses come in 2, 4 and 8 mg strengths, and are prescribed 1 to 4 times a day. Patients on Suboxone report not feeling high the way they do on methadone. If a patient takes Suboxone too soon after taking the last methadone dose, he can be thrown into severe withdrawals, so it's important for the patient to be down to a stabilized low dose of methadone before making the switch. In addition, it's recommended that the patient not take methadone for 72 hours before taking the first Suboxone dose.

Another method that is used to detox from methadone is to gradually reduce the dose until the patient no longer needs any methadone at all. Because stopping methadone abruptly after prolonged daily use can be fatal, it's important to work with a professional to reduce the dosing schedule gradually. The clinic will begin to slowly lower the participant's dose, then leave that person on the reduced dose until he is considered stable. Once he is stable, the dose will be reduced again by a small increment and the participant is left on that dose until he is considered stable. Over the course of many months or even years, the participant is taken down to a dose so low that stopping can safely be attempted. Problems with this type of detox include the fact that it is time intensive, which prevents the patient from being able to enjoy the freedom of leaving the area with short notice; the patient is still obligated to daily clinic visits; and the patient must continue to work her life around the methadone program. Advantages of this kind of detox include the ability to detox slowly without having to go through the 3-day withdrawal required to start Suboxone .

Rapid detox from methadone is called Accelerated Neuro-Regulation. It's a medical procedure that is performed in a medical setting. The patient is put under anesthesia and sleeps through the process, eliminating the discomfort of severe withdrawal symptoms. The body is essentially cleansed of all opiates, providing immediate relief from physical dependence. The advantages of ANR detox include the speed in which it is accomplished, the fact that the patient is not simply switched to a different medication, and the ability to get back to a job, school and family responsibilities quickly. Disadvantages include the cost and the lack of psychological provisions with regard to the addiction after the ANR is complete.