Methadone Addiction and Side Effects

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.

Methadone Addiction and Side Effects

Methadone is a synthetically created opiate that has similar effects to heroin and morphine. It is used often to manage chronic pain. Methadone differs from heroin and morphine in that it stays in the system for a long time (as much as 59 hours). Those who use morphine to treat chronic pain must take more medication every few hours to stay pain-free. Methadone only requires a daily dose or less. Methadone does have some side effects, however, including drowsiness, lightheadedness, constipation, breathing difficulties and dry mouth.

For years methadone treatment has been the therapy of choice for treating heroin addiction. In fact, methadone is most commonly used these days as a replacement drug in heroin addiction treatment. Because it is available through methadone treatment centers, heroin addicts do not have to buy drugs on the street. Additionally, it has reduced the incidence of disease transmission through dirty needles and criminality associated with the drug trade. Unfortunately, this treatment also causes methadone addiction, which can be just as difficult to overcome as heroin addiction.

Methadone addiction is similar to heroin addiction in that methadone withdrawal symptoms are just as severe. Many users are afraid to try to get clean because methadone detoxification is notoriously difficult. The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) warns that those who become addicted to methadone may return to or move on to other opiods like heroin or oxycodone if not properly treated. In order to detox from methadone, users need another drug to ease the harsh withdrawal. That drug is buprenorphine. Unlike methadone, buprenorphine is less addictive and has much milder withdrawal symptoms. This allows users to gradually step down their dosage towards a drug-free existence.

Source: http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs25/25930/index.htm#Outlook

Click here for the next part in the series, "Methadone Withdrawal - Methadone Detox Process." 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.

Note: All medical services are administered by medical professionals, which are facilitated and operated solely under the jurisdiction of a separate medical corporation.