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Methadone is a legal prescription drug prescribed to help treat chronic pain and opioid addiction. Because it is a narcotic opioid, it also has a high risk of addiction. When a doctor prescribes methadone, it is generally under medical supervision to ensure it is not abused or that those who use it don’t experience adverse side effects. This allows medical professionals to assist with controlling withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Methadone can be used as a type of therapy in addiction recovery to prevent the high from substances like hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, or heroin. When methadone is used in this way to minimize withdrawal symptoms, it’s called replacement therapy.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to methadone, a methadone addiction treatment program can help. Call 888.568.2057 today to learn more about methadone addiction treatment at NuLife Behavioral Health.
What Is Methadone?
Methadone is an FDA-approved synthetic opioid most commonly used to treat opioid use disorders (OUD) as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. Dolophine and Methadose are the brand names that tend to be prescribed for this use. In addition to being prescribed for pain management, daily administration of the medication (under medical supervision) can reduce the cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with other drug dependencies. It’s a slippery slope, as the drug can be prescribed to help manage other addictions and pain but can also easily become a burden of additional dependency.
Understanding Side Effects of Methadone Use
Even though methadone can be used as part of a MAT program, it is still a drug that comes with side effects. Every individual can have varying reactions, and the side effects can range from mild to severe. These can include:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Major appetite and weight changes
- Severe mood swings
- Vision problems
- Rapid heartbeat
- Hallucinations
- Swollen tongue or trouble swallowing
How Methadone Abuse Treatment Can Help with Side Effects
The effects of methadone tend to be slower than other prescription painkillers, which causes people to become more easily addicted to this drug, even though its intended use is to help with battling other addictions and pain management. Stopping the use of methadone once you become addicted can be very hard. There are severe withdrawal symptoms involved, so a medically supervised environment as part of a structured treatment program, either inpatient or outpatient, is the best course of action to recover from this drug dependency.
NuLife Behavioral Health offers outpatient program options to treat dependence on methadone. These programs utilize evidence-based and experiential therapies under medical supervision so that you or your loved one can successfully recover from a methadone addiction.
Treatment services include:
- Outpatient treatment with regular individual and group therapy sessions
- An intensive outpatient program (IOP) involving a routine number of hours of therapy each week
- A partial hospitalization program (PHP) involving daily group and individual therapy sessions
- A dual diagnosis program to treat co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
Reach Out to NuLife Behavioral Health for Effective Addiction Treatment
Addiction of any kind can impact your entire life. If you’re struggling, do not wait to get the help you need. Professional and caring treatment professionals are ready to help you to get on the road to recovery. Creating a customized treatment plan unique to each person’s needs lays the groundwork for a recovery that achieves lifelong sobriety.
NuLife Behavioral Health Massachusetts offers many treatment services, including both clinical and experiential therapies. We offer substance-specific outpatient programs to give you flexible options that can work with your schedule and commitments.
Contact us at 888.568.2057 or reach out online to learn more about your treatment options. An experienced and understanding member of our treatment plan will assist you with answering any questions you may have.
