Drug addiction is disruptive to life as well as life threatening. Dependency can affect work, personal relationships and finances. No one intends to become addicted to drugs, but it happens, and when it does it typically requires serious treatment to overcome. Treatment can come in the form of detoxification, therapy, and medically assisted recovery with the aid of medication used to decrease dependency and withdrawal symptoms. For many, the difficulty of detoxification, accompanied by severe withdrawal symptoms, is enough to cause hesitancy in attempting recovery, but with the aid of certain medications, withdrawal symptoms can be greatly reduced or even eliminated. Many will attempt a rapid detoxification by complete cessation of the preferred drug. This is not recommended because it may lead to severe withdrawal symptoms and increased chance for relapse. Gradual decrease is best when it comes to beating dependency.
When the words drug abuse is heard, it is often illegal street drugs that come to mind. It is not only street drugs such as heroin or cocaine that lead to dependency. Addiction to prescribed opioid narcotics is occurring with greater frequency. Narcotics such as hydrocodone, oxycodone or morphine, are potentially addicting if taken improperly and against doctor advice. These opioids are often prescribed to treat injuries that result in long term mild to severe pain. In addition, they are given for those who suffer from illnesses that cause pain, such as cancers or other serious ailments. These medications often need to be taken for extended periods to keep pain under control, and this can lead to addiction. Often, the pain from these injuries or ailments is so great, some will increase dose or frequency to gain relief, and without realizing it, they become addicted.
Methadone has been used to treat dependency for over 50 years. When taken properly, this medication has helped thousands beat their addiction to opioid narcotics. This medication actually changes the way the brain and body reacts to certain drugs. It does this by attaching to brain receptors and blocking euphoria felt by the drugs. Furthermore, it decreases the cravings for drugs, and also decreases withdrawal symptoms. By removing the feeling of becoming "high", this removes the craving or need for the drug. Methadone comes in pill or liquid form and is very powerful. It is a slow acting medication, so it need only be taken once a day, which is helpful because it lessens the chance for missed doses.
There are multiple benefits for using Methadone in an attempt to beat dependency. First, it decreases withdrawal symptoms like fever, chills, tremors and hallucinations. This is particularly important because it is often these withdrawal symptoms that lead to failure or relapse. In addition, it stops the cravings for injectable drugs, which decreases the chances for developing serious illnesses like HIV or hepatitis. It decreases the chance for overdose and death from drug abuse, and since this medication is so helpful in decreasing withdrawal symptoms and it does not produce a euphoric sensation, it does not alter everyday life. Those on this medication may continue or go back to work and enjoy a social life without fear of debilitating withdrawal symptoms. No one even need know of a dependency problem or that this medication is being taken.
Of course, as with any medication, there is a potential for side effects. Methadone is an opiate narcotic analgesic itself, which means there is the potential for abuse and addiction. Other side effects that may be experienced are drowsiness, decreased appetite, nausea, headache and dry mouth. This drug must be gradually decreased over time, as if it is stopped suddenly withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and diaphoresis may be felt. Serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention are difficulty breathing, rash, itching, seizure or difficulty urinating. It is important to note that side effects are just a potential occurrence. Some may experience few if any, and this should not be a deterrent for taking Methadone. Since the benefits are plentiful and the risk small, it is worth taking for the opportunity to beat addiction.
It may be necessary to take Methadone for a year or more to overcome dependency. It must also be monitored closely by a doctor as it is a risk for dependency itself. This medication is not refillable, which is a benefit due to the requirement for multiple visits to your physician to obtain refills, and this means close monitoring. Recovery is a long process and there are many possibilities for treatment. Methadone is one such possibility in the battle to have a drug free life. Methadone can decrease the "high" felt by drugs, as well as eliminate or reduce withdrawal symptoms. Methadone increases the likelihood for success. Drug dependency recovery is necessary for a healthy body and an optimistic future.