Methadone, a synthetic analgesic drug, is used in methadone detox centers to treat morphine and heroin addicts. Methadone is an opioid. Some refer to it also as a narcotic. However, it is a drug used to diminish withdrawal symptoms an individual has when addicted to a wide variety of narcotics.
It is important to know that taking methadone without medical supervision can cause an individual to experience serious side effects, even death. The methadone detox centers are set up to treat narcotic abusers in an outpatient or an inpatient format. Methadone clinics are also utilized to detox from methadone because addicts can become addicted to methadone just as they did to Vicodin, barbiturates, heroin, codeine or opium in the form of morphine and oxycodone.
Expect Physical and Emotional Evaluation
Medical doctors will evaluate the patient to better understand the extent of the addiction. This evaluation will determine if the patient can take the methadone without becoming addicted to it. This means the evaluation has to be personalized because each individual’s addiction is different than the other.
Expect Negative Physical Symptoms
Depending on the length of addiction, the amount and the frequency of the abuse, the patient must expect major withdrawal symptoms. Some of the symptoms include:
- Flu-like aches and pains
- Cold flashes
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle / joint pain
- Accelerated heartbeat
Each patient is different so each will experience withdrawal symptoms in varying intensities. It is important to adhere closely to the medical experts and the advice they give during this time of change.
Expect “After” Therapy
No matter what the addiction is, recovery takes on a life sentence, but it is worth it if the individual remains drug free. The experience at the methadone detox centers will be the most demanding portion of the recovery time. However, your medical professional will advise you that methadone recovery is a life-long endeavor, sprinkled with repeated temptations.
Methadone is not an illegal substance so it is easier to find than cocaine and heroin. This is not a good thing for the recovering addict. Consequently, your medical professional will, no doubt, recommend a post-detox rehabilitation facility for continued positive reinforcement.
Also expect methadone detox centers to recommend ongoing mental and emotional evaluation to promote continued success. This will include therapy for behavior modification for the patients so they can gain new and fresh perspectives of themselves and the new lives they are living.
