The Dangers of Methadone Therapy

For over 25 years Pat Moore Foundation has specialized in oxycodone and other opiate addiction treatment programs. We know first-hand the powerful addictive and destructive qualities of oxycodone and prescription drug abuse. Following is a short information guide on oxycodone abuse, addiction, symptoms, risks, hydrocodone, suboxone detox and treatment. We provide this as a service to Pat Moore Foundation family and friends, as well as for anyone seeking helpful and insightful information on oxycodone, including its addiction and abuse.

The Dangers of Methadone Therapy

Methadone therapy is often thought of as the standard treatment for heroin addiction. Unfortunately, using methadone has significant dangers of its own. In effect, methadone treatment is simply replacing one dangerous addiction with another. Methadone is just as addictive as heroin, and methadone withdrawal is often more intense than heroin withdrawal. Blind studies have compared the effects of both drugs, and the majority of users were unable to distinguish between them.

One of the most dangerous problems with methadone is the potential for overdose. Like heroin, methadone users can develop a tolerance to the drug. Consequently, higher and higher doses may be taken to achieve the same results. Too high of a dose can be fatal. At present, twice as many drug deaths are attributed to methadone as to heroin. Methadone deaths are also often related to taking methadone with other drugs like alcohol. Those who have respiratory illnesses and other diseases are also more likely to experience dangerous methadone side effects.

Methadone addiction is a certain consequence of methadone rehabilitation. Many patients in methadone treatment programs will continue using methadone for years if not indefinitely. Fear of methadone withdrawal prevents such patients from living a drug-free existence. As most methadone clinics will only dispense one dose a day, many users will turn to illicit sources for higher dosages as they build a tolerance to the drug. These sources often include black market dealers. In some cases, users will return to heroin to make up the gap or sell their methadone to get heroin.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/us/17methadone.html

Click here for the next part in the series, "How to Treat Methadone Addiction." Click here to return to the first part in the series, "Introduction to Methadone."

Pat Moore Foundation's drug & alcohol detox and alcohol & drug addiction treatment programs are licensed and certified by The State of California. We provide non-medical and medically managed detoxification (using Suboxone, Subutex, and Buprenorphine when appropriate) and primary residential treatment. Our individual homes are on a unique co-ed campus where we offer gender specific treatment. We are located in Costa Mesa, in Orange County, Southern California, close to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, and only an hour's drive from Los Angeles and San Diego. To speak with a counselor, please call us 24-hours at (888) 426-6086 or if you'd like us to contact you, send a confidential message online by filling out our online form.

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