Why Not Live Drug Free

Methadone Detox Can Get Your Started

Methadone is considered a schedule II opioid which is most regularly connected to Methadone maintenance programs intended for heroin addicts. It is also used to get rid of pain and is an ideal replacement for morphine any time patients encounter unpleasant side effects. As with other opiates, tolerance to Methadone will increase with usage and there is the chance of abuse for people who are seeking to use Methadone strictly for the “high” it produces.

With Methadone maintenance programs, addicts usually are provided regular doses of Methadone in order to lessen the withdrawal symptoms and associated cravings for other opiates like heroin. There has been well documented success in treatment for heroin addiction utilizing Methadone, and the purpose behind these types of programs are all well intentioned. The basis of the program was that in the event that addicts were being supplied with regular doses of Methadone, they would need less heroin ( or even none at all) and end up being less likely to break the law to obtain their heroin fix. Also addicts would be less likely to share needles with other heroin users which can cause the spread of infectious diseases like AIDS and HIV.

The problem with Methadone maintenance programs is that they neglect to handle the issue of addiction and the social impact it can produce. Instead of working to get addicts off all drugs completely, Methadone maintenance programs perpetuate the vicious loop of addiction by replacing one drug with another. So, the men and women that work at the Methadone clinic that are there to “help” addicts are essentially only there to ensure the addicts keep coming back. Methadone clinics, for the most part, are for profit businesses whose sole function is to provide Methadone. So they have no interest in getting individuals off of Methadone. That would be like McDonalds abruptly attempting to wean people away from Bic Macs.

Another issue with Methadone maintenance programs is that many individuals who receive specific dosage amounts of Methadone to aid them with their opiate withdrawals use only a portion of their dosage and sell the rest on the street. This contributes to the rising illegal drug trade. And quite a few individuals in these kinds of programs actually see-saw in between heroin and Methadone. Since there is usually no counseling associated with this particular type of maintenance addicts in Methadone maintenance programs have no way out of their heroin/Methadone maintenance program. While Methadone maintenance programs have had success at getting people to reduce or do away with their usage of heroin and other illegal opiates, presently there are very few programs out there that work to get people off of Methadone. So, addicts wanting to be completely drug free have trouble finding programs to help them.

There exists light at the end of the tunnel, however, as more drug treatment programs are offering Methadone detox which is the initial step in getting off of Methadone and becoming completely drug free. Methadone detox programs can last anywhere from 10 days to two weeks, and they will include a physical, prescription detox medications, and one-on-one and group counseling. Methadone detox programs can be 12 step based or follow other recovery philosophies. If necessary, they can be followed up with longer term residential addiction treatment.