When someone is addicted to opioids, the first roadblock to recovery is the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that they will experience once they stop taking the drug. The desire to relieve the discomfort, combined with drug cravings, can cause them to relapse. In order to ease someone’s withdrawal symptoms and thus increase the chances for successful detox, some facilities offer medication-assisted treatment. If you wish to ensure a safe and comfortable detox from opioids, look for a methadone treatment center in New Hampshire.
Liberty Health Services offers a wide variety of addiction treatment programs, including medication-assisted treatment. Our methadone treatment program for opioid withdrawal helps clients keep their withdrawal symptoms at bay so that they can focus on their recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, contact us at 855.959.4521 today to learn more about how we can help.
What Is Methadone Treatment?
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist, which means that it acts on the same opioid receptors in the brain, thus blocking them, but it does not give the intense euphoria or “high” commonly associated with frequently-abused opioids. Its effects also last longer in the body, allowing for less frequent dosing. Methadone can be prescribed for pain relief, but it is also commonly used to treat opioid use disorder.
When methadone is used during opioid withdrawal, it keeps someone from going through the symptoms of withdrawal, including intense cravings for the substance that they were abusing. This contributes to a decrease in relapses. When someone is not going through uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and is not constantly battling their cravings, they can focus more on their recovery.
There are a few advantages to using methadone treatment to treat opioid withdrawal:
- Methadone is long-acting, so the doses are usually only given once a day. It is generally taken orally and is most commonly administered onsite at a medical or rehab facility. It can also be taken at home under strict monitoring by a healthcare provider.
- The use of methadone greatly increases the chances of successful detox.
- Methadone, while still an opioid, is not as potent as other opioids and is less vulnerable to abuse.
Is Methadone Treatment Safe?
Methadone is considered a safe and effective prescription medication, but it has to be taken as prescribed. Other medications and alcohol may interact negatively with methadone, even after its effects have worn off as it remains in the body for a long time. In order to ensure that methadone treatment can achieve the desired results, it is important to follow the following guidelines:
- Follow the prescription carefully. Never take more than the recommended amount of the medication, even if a dose is missed or does not seem to be working.
- Avoid ingesting alcohol while on methadone treatment.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking methadone.
- Store methadone in a secure, locked container at room temperature and away from sunlight. Ensure that it cannot be accessed by anyone else.
- Methadone doses are extremely individualized, so they should not be shared with others, even if they have the same symptoms.
- Dispose of any unused methadone safely.
Like any medication, prescription or otherwise, the misuse and abuse of methadone can lead to adverse side effects and addiction. It is crucial to seek the guidance and support of experienced medical professionals to ensure that methadone treatment is safe and effective.
Liberty Health Services Offers Methadone Treatment in New Hampshire
At Liberty Health Services, we strive to help our clients overcome opioid addiction in the safest and most comfortable way possible. Our compassionate team of addiction specialists provides individualized care at our luxury facility in Southern New Hampshire. Reach out to us at 855.959.4521 today to learn more about which treatment would be best for you. You can also fill out our online contact form and let us get back to you.
