If you are a former heroin user or know someone who is battling this illness (or simply know the facts about drug culture), then you have probably heard a lot about methadone treatment. A synthetic opioid, methadone is as a tool for harm reduction and withdrawal for people suffering from opioid use disorder, most notably heroin addicts. (In some cases, doctors may prescribe methadone to people suffering from severe pain.) Ultimately, this drug is designed to help people endure withdrawal and curb the sensations of euphoria triggered by heroin and other opioid drugs. Produced in tablet, powder, or liquid forms, methadone (as well as its stronger counterpart, methadose) is a well-known part of heroin rehabilitation, but does it really work? Can an opioid help fight another dangerous opioid? Let’s take a closer look at the realities of methadone treatment and find out.
Why Choose Methadone?
As indicated earlier, heroin addicts will seek out methadone for quitting heroin, coping with severe pain, and practicing harm reduction. Although this drug does not put an immediate stop to addiction, it is considered a powerful and beneficial substitute for heroin. Simply put, when a person is taking methadone, the drug serves as a replacement for the heroin. Ultimately, they are still addicted (in a way), but no longer feel cravings and euphoria associated with heroin use. For these reasons, methadone is highly regarded for helping addicts undergo detox.
Not a Complete Problem-Solver
As a replacement for heroin, methadone is only one critical piece of the endless puzzle of overcoming addiction to dangerous opioids. Although it may suppress psychological and physical responses, methadone cannot take care of the emotional overload associated with addiction. Feelings of anger, sadness, shame, or regret will not easily be suppressed. Only the addict can overcome this problem. (This is especially true for people with a comorbid mental illness, like depression or anxiety.)
Harm Reduction and Disease Prevention
However, methadone can work in preventing further harm and the spread of sickness. Unlike heroin, methadone is not administered intravenously (which can permanently damage veins and cause them to collapse) and cannot damage the circulatory system. Even more importantly, this drug is administered in a clean environment, putting a large dent in the transmission of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Due to the fact that methadone is only offered at clinics, recovering heroin addicts will not have to fear the possibility of overdosing.
Seeking Treatment for Heroin Addiction
Heroin is a terrifying and dangerous drug, plain and simple. In the case of illegal drugs like heroin, though, counseling might not always be enough to help you recover from your affliction. Sometimes, in the case of methadone clinics, you may need some medication-accompaniment therapy to get your life back on track. If you are suffering from opioid abuse or addiction of any sort, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of the rehabilitation process to help you separate yourself from these substances.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can beat your heroin addiction today.
