-
Overview
Methadone is typically prescribed to help ease chronic pain or to assist individuals to control addictions to opiate drugs, such as heroin or opiod-based prescriptions. Methadone treatment can cause physical addiction and if an individual, all of a sudden stops taking methadone, it can shock the body and cause withdrawal symptoms. That is why a manageable methadone detox is required, to ensure only minimal withdrawal symptoms.
Considerations
If someone abruptly ceases methadone treatment, the withdrawal symptoms can be extremely debilitating and in some cases, even fatal. The withdrawal symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable symptoms, such as excessive sweating or being tired all the time, to much worse outcomes, such as death.
Types
Some types of unpleasant methadone withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, insomnia, muscle and bone pain, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and digestive issues, panic, feeling stressed, irritability and more. To avoid experiencing these negative symptoms, Methadone detox is an effective method.
Function
One type of methadone detox method is Meditox, which is an outpatient treatment program for people trying to cease using opiates like Codeine, Percocet, Percodan, OxyContin and others. This detox program involves 12-step group meetings, individual counseling and classes. Patients are able to, however, detox in the privacy of their own homes.
Significance
Methadone detox methods aim to reduce and eliminate all signs of methadone residues in the body. If methadone residues remain inside of an individual's body, this can trigger cravings and desires for methadone that can linger for years. This is why flushing out toxic residue buildup is such an important methadone detox method.
Effects
Typical methadone detoxification programs involve about 180 days of medical intervention via daily dispensing of methadone and counseling the opiates-addicted individuals. Many methadone detox methods entail a harm reduction approach to supporting and encouraging individuals in becoming liberated from these addictive and often illicit drugs. Most programs operate by gradually reducing dosages of methadone until ultimately, no more methadone is even taken.
