Methadone is a common prescription medication used for treating severe pain. It is also widely used in treating addiction resulting from prescription drugs and illegal ones like heroin. It has been used for over 40 years in methadone clinic Louisville KY and is highly effective for people that use it for that purpose.
But methadone is an opioid, which makes it highly addictive. Patients can easily develop addiction towards methadone when they use it to wean themselves off of another drug or prescription painkiller.
Upon discontinuing the use of methadone after the treatment, you can go through withdrawal symptoms. Extricating yourself from methadone withdrawal symptoms can be a nerve-wracking experience and is best done at one of the top methadone clinics in KY. But your fears and worries can be reduced a great deal when you understand the benefits and risks associated with methadone treatment. Read on to learn more.
Timeline and symptoms of withdrawal
Methadone withdrawal symptoms, commonly called methadone detox, typically begin to appear about 24-36 hours after the last time you took the medication. A physician supervises the detox process. As to how long the process takes, it varies from one individual to another. However, it should last about 2-3 weeks to even six months.
Below are some of the signs of methadone withdrawal especially for those that experience those 30 hours after stopping to take methadone:
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Restlessness
- Trouble sleeping
- Yawning
- Tiredness
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
During the early stages, methadone withdrawal symptoms can resemble those of the flu. However, unlike the flu, the symptoms persist for several days. They may peak after about 3 days. They include the following:
- Goosebumps
- Severe nausea
- Cramps
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches and pains
- Depression
- Drug cravings
Typically, the symptoms tend to be severest during the first week, and they can last longer than one week. You will experience low energy levels, trouble sleeping, depression, and anxiety.
Withdrawal can cause a lot of discomforts, and it increases the risk of relapsing. It is why some doctors advise remaining on this treatment although at lower doses. After obtaining stability at lower doses, you can talk with your methadone clinic Louisville KY facility about another instance of tapering.
Seeking Help for methadone withdrawal
There is no doubt that methadone withdrawal is complex, and this is why it is advisable that it takes place in a safe methadone clinic Louisville KY. Talk with your doctor about any troubles you experience to enable them to help with the treatment of your withdrawal symptoms should they arise. Team up with support groups to link you with other professionals that better understand what you go through.
Drug treatment for methadone withdrawal
The best methadone clinics in KY will prescribe medications for easing your withdrawal symptoms. The drugs increase your chances of recovering fully. Clonidine, buprenorphine, and naxalone ate some of the medications that shorten the process of withdrawal and relieve related symptoms.
Guided methadone therapy
Because of the risk of overdose and overusing, methadone therapy is available only to patients that have checked into a government-certified treatment program. This allows a doctor to monitor your use and response, making sure that the withdrawal is effective and occurs safely. The therapy will continue until the time that your body does not need any methadone.
Emotional support
One element of long-term recovery is group therapy. In some instances, you will not be so lucky as to get support from family and friends especially because they don’t understand. Reaching out to other recovering methadone patients can enable you to find people that understand what you go through. This helps you to remain on track with the recovery.
Why it’s important to prevent relapse
After quitting the use of methadone, it is vital that you avoid going back to the opiates you previously used. Patients trying to wean off of opiates misuse are at a greater risk of dying than the general members of the public. That is why you should do all you can to prevent relapsing.
Consult with your doctor
Opioid and opiate misuse can be deadly and even life-threatening. You deserve lots of plaudits for taking steps to recover. Indeed, this is an admirable act that also improves your health in the long run. While it is not easy to withdraw from any addictive substance, it has several long-term benefits that are far greater than the risks.
Consult your doctor because methadone therapy may be advantageous as you embark on discontinuing the overuse of other opioids. Your doctor will closely monitor your progress as you wean off of methadone. They will also help you to ease the symptoms of withdrawal better and perk up your chances of recovering fully. Your doctor is also more than capable of answering any questions you have concerning withdrawal and addiction.
Questions you may want to ask include:
Would you advise me to undergo guided therapy?
Is there a drug that can help me ease my withdrawal pain?
Where and how can I find a good support group?
Benefits of methadone clinic Louisville
Methadone has been extensively used in the treatment of addiction resulting from abusing prescription drugs and illegal substances like heroin. Having been used for a long time, it is safer and more stable than other treatment options like Suboxone. Also, because of its widespread use, it is a lot cheaper than other options. Indeed, many insurance companies today cover the cost of treatment using methadone. Even if you have no insurance, many methadone clinics in Ky offer a sliding scale charging system, which charges you according to your income.
Conclusion
Methadone is a highly effective medication for treating opiates addiction. The drug, which is dispensed and controlled by a clinician, is highly effective. Because of the high risk of addiction, most facilities do not allow patients to go home with methadone. However, if you prove you can use it responsibly, you can be given a methadone dose to take home. Methadone is safe and generally okay to use.
