methadone addiction treatment

Methadone Maintenance – Treatment For Addiction to Opioids

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MMT – methadone maintenance treatment for addiction is a comprehensive program in which patients are prescribed methadone for a long period of time in order to help them avoid other opioids, often heroin. Key to MMT is that methadone is not the sole treatment included in it. Rather, it also requires psychosocial and medical services, counseling, and proper case management. Exactly how long methadone maintenance will take will depend on the individual.

What Is Methadone and How Does It Work?

Methadone is a synthetic opioid that was popularized during WW2 as an alternative to morphine. It is long-acting, which means it does not lead to a euphoric high or rush. That said, it is still an opioid, which means developing a dependence on it is possible. While developed as a painkiller, it has been found to be very effective in the treatment of opioid addictions.

“Methadone works by changing how the brain and nervous system respond to pain. It lessens the painful symptoms of opiate withdrawal and blocks the euphoric effects of opiate drugs such as heroin, morphine, and codeine, as well as semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone.”

How methadone is administered and at what dosage will vary. However, one of the most popular dosages for MMT is around 100ml of liquid. This liquid has been formulated so that it is not as effective as an injection. At the start of an MMT program, physicians will monitor patients and adjust the dosage until they are able to suppress the withdrawal symptoms from their chosen opioid, reduce cravings, and stop the euphoric effects of other opioids, all the while preventing intoxication.

The Benefits of MMT

One of the biggest benefits of methadone maintenance is that it helps fight the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal.

“Withdrawal symptoms vary according to the drug of dependence and severity of dependence, but often include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, and insomnia. During withdrawal, some patients may become disruptive and difficult to manage.”

Once the methadone is absorbed into the body and reaches the appropriate level, cravings will decline. Further, because methadone is a long-acting (24/36 hours) opioid antagonist, it only has to be used once daily. Heroin, on the other hand, is short-acting and lasts only three to six hours, meaning patients administer the drug several times each day, with each time bringing with it more chances of infections, diseases, overdose, and even death.

Methadone is an opioid, however, and the body will tend to develop a tolerance to it. However, such tolerance is generally slow to develop, which means patients can continue with an MMT program almost indefinitely so long as they are properly monitored and use the drug as prescribed. Unfortunately, in that also lies the problem, as many people do not use it as prescribed.

“Unless planning to detoxify, patients with high tolerance need high doses of methadone. If the substituted amount of methadone is less than their opiate habit, addicts will usually top up with illicit heroin, methadone, or benzodiazepines until they have reached adequate maintenance doses.”

Meanwhile, there has been a lot of research into the effectiveness of methadone and this is one of the reasons why it is described by many as a “wonder drug”. Studies have shown that properly administered MMT reduces how much opioids are used overall, mortality, participation in risky behaviors such as needle sharing and promiscuity, transmitted diseases, and criminal activity. Furthermore, MMT leads to a direct increase in treatment program retention, quality of life, social functioning, mental and physical health, and family relationships.

The Future of MMT

Because MMT has so many benefits, but only if managed properly, it is now a priority to increase access to MMT maintenance programs. Unfortunately, there remain many barriers in place to accessing treatment, something that is seen globally.

“Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) has been proven to be effective and cost-effective in treating dependence on opioids. However, concerns remain that geographical, financial and other hidden barriers may hinder access to MMT, especially in rural areas where health services are limited.”

Thankfully, in this country at least, there is a lot of awareness of the barriers and the importance of increasing access. Hence, health professionals are now trained on MMT’s benefits and services have been designed to be more flexible, so that they meet the needs of the client.

The Need for an MMT Treatment Team

It is also very important for patients to be supported by the right treatment team. This means that they are under the supervision of a physician, but also work together with nurses, pharmacists, and counselors. The treatment team must be fully cohesive and focused on working with the patient and the community. No two addiction stories are the same, which means that no two therapeutic strategies will be the same either. It is therefore also vital that all members of the treatment team have excellent communication and are focused on working together.

MMT Regulation

Methadone is a Schedule II drug. This means that it is an opioid with high potential for abuse and dependency, although it has significant medicinal benefits. Those with the right training, license, and clearance, therefore, are able to prescribe it where appropriate. Naturally, stringent federal regulations are in place and must be adhered to, although some feel that they are insufficient.

“The Bradford memorandum opens a window onto state regulation of the use of narcotics for narcotic addiction that shows that it is very extensive and considerably more variable than federal regulation. Viewed historically, state regulation is far more developed today than it was when methadone was initially approved by FDA.”

A lot remains to be done about increasing access and ensuring that methadone maintenance is offered properly and in the right way. MMT is not for everybody, as it often means people continue to use methadone for years. Some prefer to opt for short term methadone detox, which usually means they enter a 21-day detox treatment program and use methadone for between three and seven days only, solely to stave off the withdrawal symptoms associated with the opioid they were addicted to.

 

Sources

[1] How Long is Methadone Maintenance. (2019, February 15). Retrieved from https://methadonenearme.com/methadone-maintenance/how-long-is-methadone-maintenance

[2] Institute of Medicine. (1995). Federal Regulation of Methadone Treatment – Federal Regulation of Methadone Treatment – NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232105/

[3] Khampang, R. (2015). Perceived barriers to utilise methadone maintenance therapy among male injection drug users in rural areas of southern Thailand – Khampang – 2015 – Drug and Alcohol Review – Wiley Online Library. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/dar.12268

[4] Methadone tolerance testing in drug misusers. (2006, November 16). Retrieved from https://www.bmj.com/content/333/7577/1056

[5] Methadone | SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015, 28). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/methadone

[6] World Health Organization. (2009). Withdrawal Management – Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings – NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/

 

methadone maintenance for narcotic addiction

How Methadone Maintenance Became The First Pharmacological Treatment For Narcotic Addiction

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During the 1960s, there was a surge of heroin abuse in this country. So much so, in fact, that it became a public health problem. During those days, addiction was seen as a lifestyle choice associated with criminal and antisocial behavior. In 1962, however, Vincent P. Dole, a Rockefeller researcher, started to look at it as an unresolved health problem as part of his role as New York City’s Health Research Council’s chairman. He was the first to propose that addiction is a disease, and particularly a metabolic disease that manifested in behavior.

“The most important principle to recognize is that addiction is a medical disease. And, as a medical disease, it’s the responsibility of the medical profession.”

So committed was Dole to understanding the problem that he made it the sole focus of his laboratory research. Prior to this, his focus was on metabolism and obesity. However, he felt he needed to devise a pharmacological approach to treating the chronic illness of heroin addiction. This eventually resulted into the development of the Methadone Maintenance Treatment, or MMT.

The Development of MMT

By the end of 1963, Dole attracted clinical investigator Mary Jeanne Kreek and psychiatrist Marie Nyswander to his research project. Together, they conducted a study of heroin addiction at the Rockefeller University Hospital. Within six months, they understood the potential of MMT, moving away from the concept of using methadone for short term detox option only.

What the team’s study showed was that there are a number of key benefits of methadone maintenance treatment. “It’s not a perfect medication, it’s not without side effects, and it’s not for everyone – but methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) offers significant advantages over the use of heroin or the illicit abuse of prescription opiates. If you or someone you love needs help for an opiate addiction, methadone maintenance treatment deserves consideration.”

Specifically, the study found that:

• Methadone reduces heroin cravings.
• Methadone stops withdrawal symptoms.
• Methadone is non-euphoric, meaning people do not get high from it. This effect is known as “narcotic blockade”.
• Methadone only needs to be taken once per day.

The study conducted by Dole and his team was repeated by others with similar results. Long term studies were also conducted, and those were pivotal in the FDA approval of the drug in 1972, which was when methadone started to become an official treatment option.

“For nearly three decades, methadone hydrochloride (6-dimethylamino-4, 4-diphenyl-3-heptanone hydrochloride) has been the primary means of treating opiate addiction. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1947 for analgesic and antitussive uses, methadone was shown to be effective in treating opiate addiction in the mid-1960s and was approved by FDA for this use in late 1972.”

Of interest is also the fact that Mary Jeanne Kreek developed a method to analyze and measure levels of opioids and methadone in the blood and tissue. It was this that enabled researchers to understand the long-acting properties of the drug. The team truly changed the way addiction is treated.

Did They Do Enough?

Today, MMT continues to be controversial. That said, it is also accepted as the most effective form of addiction treatment. Additionally, the trend and use of Methadone is increasing.

“While the number of facilities with OTPs has remained constant at around 1,100 to 1,200 since 2003 (8 to 9 percent of all substance abuse treatment facilities), the number of clients receiving methadone on the survey reference date increased from about 227,000 in 2003 to over 306,000 in 2011.”

It is believed that around one million people around the world now use MMT to help combat their opiate addiction. While this is just a fraction of the number of people who suffer from an opiate addiction, this is mainly due to barriers to access the treatment, rather than due to the ineffectiveness of MMT.

For their work, Dole and Nyswander received the first ever National Drug Abuse Conference annual award in 1978. By 1982, the New York Urban Coalition, the Committee of Methadone Program Administrators, and the New York State Division of Substance Abuse Services started the Nyswander-Dole Award, which continues to be hosted by the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD), Inc.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

“AATOD has been the number one advocate, resource, and trainer for the field of medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction since its inception. Given today’s challenges, that role is more important than ever and AATOD continues to enthusiastically accept those challenges for all of us in the field; patients, medical staff, clinicians, researchers, manufacturers, and regulators.”

Thanks to the work of Dr. Dole and his team, there has been a tremendous increase in the understanding of addiction. While MMT is still controversial and certainly not accepted by all, it is undeniable that it has helped hundreds of thousands of people the world over. What is perhaps even more vital is Dr. Dole’s overall legacy.

“The underlying theme in Dr. Vincent P. Dole’s work is the effect of metabolism on behavior. This led to groundbreaking investigations at The Rockefeller University in electrophoresis, lipids, obesity, addiction, and the development of methadone maintenance in 1964 with his late wife, Dr. Marie E. Nyswander. Dr. Mary Jeanne Kreek, a research resident in his laboratory in 1964, is now continuing addiction research as a professor at Rockefeller. Dole developed methadone detoxification in the New York City jail system and office-based methadone medical maintenance with Nyswander. His major concern was to resolve the stigma that methadone patients encounter.”

Methadone Success Rates

Unfortunately, the stigma of addiction still exists. Nevertheless, there is now greater acceptance of the concept that addiction is not a lifestyle choice nor a sign of weakness. People with addiction are victims of circumstances and develop a disease for which the medical community must provide treatment.

There continue to be significant failings that perpetuate the stigmatization of addicts, particularly through the criminal justice system. The focus is on incarceration, hoping that people will magically come out of the system “cured” and free from substances.

In reality, most addicts who enter the system come out just as addicted as before. Fortunately, it’s possible to beat your addiction and start living free from the chains of the disease, contact (855) 976-2092 to learn more.

 

Sources

[1] Bierer MD, M. (2017, January 25). Is Addiction a “Brain DIsease”? Retrieved from Harvard Health Publishing – Harvard Medical School: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-addiction-a-brain-disease-201603119260

[2] Bell, J., & Zador, D. (n.d.). A risk-benefit analysis of methadone maintenance treatment. – PubMed – NCBI. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10738842

[3] Rettig, R., & Yarmolinsky, A. (n.d.). Read “Federal Regulation of Methadone Treatment” at NAP.edu. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.nap.edu/read/4899/chapter/2

[4] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (April 23, 2013). The N-SSATS Report: Trends in the Use of Methadone and Buprenorphine at Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities: 2003 to 2011. Rockville, MD. Retrieved From: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/N-SSATS%20Rprt%20Trnds%20Use%20Methadone%20&%20Buprenorphine%20at%20SA%20Trmt%20Facs%20%2003-11/N-SSATS%20Rprt%20Trnds%20Use%20Methadone%20&%20Buprenorphine%20at%20SA%20Trmt%20Facs%20%2003-11/sr107-NSSATS-Buprenorph.htm

[5] American Association for The Treatment of Opioid Dependency. (n.d.). AATOD | About Us. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from http://www.aatod.org/about-us/

naloxone overdose prevention drug

Opioid Addiction And The Overdose Crisis

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Opioids are made up of a wide range of drugs. They include heroin, an illegal street drug; fentanyl and methadone, which are synthetic opioids; and prescription pain relievers, such as morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone. All of these drugs are chemically related. They interact with the brain and the nerve cells, which all have opioid pain receptors.

Opioids Are Addictive Drugs

When used therapeutically, opioid drugs have tremendous benefits. They act mainly as a painkiller, thereby significantly increasing the quality of life, particularly if patients suffer from chronic pain. However, they are also addictive and habit-forming, even when used on prescription, and the addiction can be both physical and psychological.

“Opioid addiction involves more than just physical dependence. Aside from physical dependence, opioid addiction also involves psychological dependence. This means that the drug is so central to the person’s life that the need to keep using becomes a craving or compulsion, even if the person knows continued use is harmful.”

Unfortunately, once a person is in the grips of opioid addiction, a range of negative consequences are likely to occur. These include engaging in risky behavior, an increased chance of infection with blood-borne diseases, criminal behavior, and loss of social life. Perhaps the greatest risk of opioid abuse is that there is a chance of having an overdose, which can be fatal.

In case of an overdose, it is possible for the symptoms to be reversed if someone is provided naloxone immediately.

“The drug naloxone is sometimes called a “save shot” or a “rescue shot” because of its ability to bring someone back from an overdose.”

In this country, there is an epidemic of addiction to opioids, particularly prescription painkillers. It should be noted that some improvements have been made, mainly by making it more difficult to obtain these drugs. It is in teen groups that improvements have been made, which is a positive development. However, deaths related to heroin have been rising since 2007. Thankfully, drugs such as methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine are available to help in the treatment of opioid addiction.

The Effectiveness of Treatment

A study completed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that opioid addiction can be effectively treated with the right medication.

“A study comparing the effectiveness of two pharmacologically distinct medications used to treat opioid use disorder – a buprenorphine/naloxone combination and an extended release naltrexone formulation – shows similar outcomes once medication treatment is initiated. Among active opioid users, however, it was more difficult to initiate treatment with the naltrexone.”

The Overdose Crisis

In this country, around 115 people die every day as a result of an opioid overdose. Indeed, this is a national crisis that affects every element of society, including economic welfare, the legal justice system, and public health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the economic burden of this alone is staggering.

“The total economic burden is estimated to be $78.5 billion. Over one-third of this amount is due to increased health care and substance abuse treatment costs ($28.9 billion). Approximately one-quarter of the cost is borne by the public sector in health care, substance abuse treatment, and criminal justice costs.”

The overdose crisis didn’t happen overnight. Towards the end of the 20th century, pharmaceutical companies claimed that opioid pain relievers were non-addictive, leading to an increase in prescription rate. Unfortunately, it was soon realized that these drugs were in fact highly addictive and that there was widespread abuse. By 2015, some 33,000 died of an opioid overdose in that year alone, and that included overdoses on legally obtained prescription drugs. Furthermore, some 2 million people were addicted to prescription painkillers, compared to 591,000 people with heroin addiction (some people were addicted to both).

It is now known that:

• Between 21% and 29% of people who take prescription painkillers misuse their drug.
• Between 8% and 12% of people who take prescription painkillers develop a use disorder.
• Between 4% and 6% of those who have a use disorder transition to heroin.
• Around 80% of heroin users used prescription painkillers first.
• There was a 30% increase in incidences of opioid overdose between July 2016 and September 2017 in 45 states.
• There was a 70% increase in the incidences of opioid overdose between July 2016 and September 2017 in the Midwestern region.
• There was a 54% increase in the incidences of opioid overdose in large cities in 16 states.

Clearly, this is a public health crisis that affects everybody in this country.

“With continued increases in opioid overdoses, availability of timely data are important to inform actions taken by EDs and public health practitioners. Increases in opioid overdoses varied by region and urbanization level, indicating a need for localized responses. Educating ED physicians and staff members about appropriate services for immediate care and treatment and implementing a post-overdose protocol that includes naloxone provision and linking persons into treatment could assist EDs with preventing overdose.”

The impact of the overdose crisis is significant. There has been a marked increase, for instance, in the number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome due to maternal opioid abuse during pregnancy. Additionally, there has been a marked increase in the number of diagnoses of both hepatitis C and HIV.

What Is Being Done

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced five key priorities to address this crisis.

“At HHS, we’re ready to fight alongside… the millions of Americans who are trying to find recovery or help their loved ones do so… The Trump Administration is committed to bringing everything the federal government has to bear on this health emergency.”

These five priorities are:

1. To improve access to treatment
2. To promote the use of drugs like naloxone
3. To focus on better public health surveillance to increase understanding of the epidemic
4. To provide support for addiction and pain research
5. To advance pain management best practice

One the latest initiatives was launched in April 2018, which is the Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative, in which various agencies have come together to find a scientific solution to the national opioid crisis, with a focus on both treatment and prevention.

Want to Learn More?

Do you want more information on methadone clinics and methadone treatment? Are you still on the fence about whether or not this is the right approach for you?

If so, check out our methadone treatment blog posts today or call us at (855) 976-2092 for more resources to help you make an informed decision about how to navigate the recovery process.

At Methadone Near Me, we only post information that comes from trusted sources. Please see the list of sources below to do your own studying on this topic. We encourage you to dive deeper and learn all you can.

Sources

[1] Mental Illness & Addiction Index. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index

[2] Nadia Kounang, CNN. (2016, April 28). What is naloxone? Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/28/health/what-is-naloxone-narcan-opioid-overdose/index.html

[3] Opioid treatment drugs have similar outcomes once patients initiate treatment. (2017, November 14). Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/opioid-treatment-drugs-have-similar-outcomes-once-patients-initiate-treatment

[4] Florence CS , et al. (n.d.). The Economic Burden of Prescription Opioid Overdose, Abuse, and Dependence in the United States, 2013. – PubMed – NCBI. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27623005

[5] Vital Signs: Trends in Emergency Department Visits for Suspected … (2018, March 8). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6709e1.htm

[6] Secretary Price Announces HHS Strategy for Fighting Opioid Crisis. (2018, March 7). Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/secretary/speeches/2017-speeches/secretary-price-announces-hhs-strategy-for-fighting-opioid-crisis/index.html

fentanyl a synthetic heroin

Heroin And Fentanyl – Two Addictive Opioids

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Heroin and fentanyl are two common opioids with significant dangers. Heroin is made using morphine, a natural substance. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has listed heroin as a Schedule I drug.

“Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

Fentanyl is an opioid, but it is synthetic, meaning it is man-made.It is also incredibly dangerous, as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

“Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.”

Fentanyl is a schedule II drug, however, because it has accepted medicinal uses. In fact, it was developed as a prescription painkiller. That said, being a schedule II means that it is recognized to have a high abuse potential. Fentanyl is available on prescription but it is also illicitly manufactured. It is cheap and easy to obtain and also often used to fill or cut heroin.

Unfortunately, fentanyl is incredibly lethal in many different ways. Only a small dose of 0.25mg can be lethal and this opioid’s absorbed through the skin.

“The drug can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled. In 2015, a New Jersey police officer had shortness of breath, dizziness and slowed breathing after coming into contact with fentanyl.”

As a legal prescription, it is available as sublingual or buccal tablets, oral or nasal sprays, transdermal patches, and injections. When used illegally, people chew or suck on the patches, insert it into their body, or even scrape off the gel after which it is injected. In tablet form, it can be crushed and injected, smoked, or snorted.

Overdose, Side Effects, and Other Dangers

There has beena significant increase in the number of overdose deaths as a result of both fentanyl and heroin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose (poisoning) deaths. Since 2000, the rate of deaths from drug overdoses has increased 137%, including a 200% increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids (opioid pain relievers and heroin).”

The CDC has also reported that, between 2002 and 2013, fatal heroin overdose numbers quadrupled, and fatal overdoses of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids almost doubled between 2013 and 2014.

One of the key dangers is that people often think they are using heroin, unaware of the fact that it also contains fentanyl. Because the latter is so much more potent, the toxic buildup it creates can cause an overdose at a much lower dose than heroin. When breathing slows down too much, an overdose occurs. At that point, body temperature plummets, pulse slows, and the victim often feels lethargic, drowsy, and confused. Their pupils contract to pinpoints and they may lose consciousness as well.

Any overdose can be life threatening. Narcan (naloxone) is a drug that can reverse the effects of the overdose as an opioid antagonist, but only if administered early enough. If someone overdoses on fentanyl, or on part heroin cut with fentanyl, they often require multiple naloxone doses because it is so potent.

Both opioids can also have a long term negative impact on the cardiovascular and respiratory system. Additionally, it can cause brain damage, leading to permanent cognitive problems. Those who choose to inject the substances are also at increased risk of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, skin abscesses, track marks, scarring, and collapsed veins.

Opioid Addiction and Dependence

Both heroin and fentanyl are known to be highly addictive drugs. Both substances, when abused, lead to a euphoric “high” that is incredibly intense. Dependence can develop very rapidly. As soon as the brain is accustomed to opioid presence, it stops absorbing, transmitting and producing functioning chemical messengers, including dopamine, which tell the body to feel pleased. Because of this chemical malfunction, the body starts to feel unbalanced, requiring the drug to once again feel “normal”. Once the effects of the drug wears off, it leads to the person experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms as well. Common symptoms are:

• Insomnia
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Flu-like symptoms

As a result, many would rather take the drug than experience these withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, this is a slippery slope leading to people having no more control of how much they take and when. Once drug use becomes compulsive, the chemistry of the brain has changed significantly. At this point, an addiction has developed.

As shown by research conducted by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), addiction is a serious problem associated with opioid abuse.

“Of the 20.5 million Americans 12 or older that had a substance use disorder in 2015, 2 million had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers and 591,000 had a substance use disorder involving heroin. It is estimated that 23% of individuals who use heroin develop opioid addiction.”

Both heroin and fentanyl are incredibly powerful and dangerous. It is vital that treatment options are put in place so that those who have become victims of addiction are given the help that they need. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of drugs and medications to help people who have developed an opioid dependence. These include naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone. These are pharmaceutical drugs that have been shown to be particularly effective if offered in conjunction with counseling and other behavioral therapies. These drugs are highly useful in controlling the withdrawal symptoms, thereby helping addiction patients become more receptive to therapy as they do not feel as uncomfortable as before.

Heroin and fentanyl are short-acting drugs. This means that their effects only last for a few hours at a time. FDA-approved medication like methadone, on the other hand, is a long-acting substance, which means only a single dosage is required in a 24 hour period. It is not recommended that people go “cold turkey” if they use either fentanyl or heroin, as it is unlikely that they will be successful and relapse at that point where it is incredibly dangerous. Medication and therapy are available for patients, although it is very important that some of the barriers to access to treatment, both perceived and real, are addressed. To get the help you need or to be there for someone you love contact us for more information (855) 976-2092.

Sources

[1] Drug Scheduling. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/drug-scheduling

[2] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2016, June 6). Fentanyl. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/fentanyl

[3] Nadia Kounang, CNN. (2018, November 5). What you need to know about fentanyl. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/10/health/fentanyl-opioid-explainer/

[4] Increases in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths — United States, 2000–2014. (2016, January 1). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6450a3.htm

[5] American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2016, January 1). Opioid Addiction – 2016 Facts & Figures. Retrieved from https://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/opioid-addiction-disease-facts-figures.pdf

treat opioid abuse effectively

The Principles Of Successful Opioid Addiction Treatment

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There are a few simple facts to be aware of. The first is that addiction is a disease and, like most other diseases, it can be treated. Evidence-based treatment options have been developed, including methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for opiate addiction, for instance. When successful, it means that patients are able to stop abusing opioid drugs and can once again lead a happy, healthy, and productive life.

Relapse Is Not Failure

Another important fact to be aware of is that addiction cannot always be cured. It is a chronic disease, just like asthma and diabetes, which means people need to learn how to manage it. What this also means is that, even if successfully treated, relapse is common.

“Chances of addiction relapse are higher than those for any other drug addiction, with one study reporting that as many as 91% of those in recovery will experience a relapse. The study also found that at least 59% of those who had an opiate relapse would do so within the first week of sobriety, and 80% would relapse within a month after discharging from a detox program.”

Relapse is so common that it is seen as a normal part of the overall addiction recovery process. The rates, as described above, are very high, just as they are with asthma, hypertension, and diabetes, all of which are also chronic, and all of which also have both physical and psychological elements. If a chronic illness is to be properly treated, it means that behaviors and habits that people have developed over many years have to be changed, something that is incredibly hard to do. When patients relapse, therefore, their treatment hasn’t failed. Rather, it means they require more treatment or that they should attempt a different type of therapy.

The Principles of Effective Treatment

There has been a lot of research to demonstrate that, when available, both medication and behavioral therapy should be offered in order to increase the chances of success. It is vital that the approach to treatment is tailor-fitted to the needs of the patient, which is based on drug abuse history, medical history, and social, psychiatric, and medical problems. What matters overall is that addiction doesn’t have to be a death sentence.

Using Medication Like Methadone for the Treatment of Opiate Addiction

Studies have shown that there are many different medications that treat different types of addiction and that offer help in different ways. For instance, tobacco addiction can be treated using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), like nicotine gum, inhalers, and patches. Alcohol addiction can be treated using disulfiram, naltrexone, or acamprosate. Opioid addictions, meanwhile, can be treated using naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone.

Medication does three key things for the treatment of addiction:

1. It helps fight withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping the use of a particular addictive substance. These symptoms are both emotional and physical and include mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, sleeplessness, restlessness, and more. Drugs, such as methadone, help to stop these withdrawal symptoms from occurring, making it easier to undergo rehab.
2. It helps patients remain under treatment. It is common for drugs to be offered under medical supervision to avoid the withdrawal symptoms, after which the patient is slowly tapered off the drug. What this means is that patients remain calm and do not experience the strong cravings that so often lead to relapse. Through this, patients are encouraged to remain in treatment while engaging more in psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and counseling.
3. It helps to prevent relapse. It is a known fact that there are certain triggers that make relapse more likely, with triggers being unique for each individual.

“One of most effective techniques for preventing relapse is to identify your personal relapse triggers and make a detailed plan on how you will manage them.”

There are some common triggers: drug cues (moods, things, places, and people), stress, and drug exposure. By providing medication, it is possible for these triggers to lose their strength, thereby allowing patients to keep themselves on the road to recovery.

What About Behavioral Therapy?

The fact that methadone is an effective treatment for opiate addiction is beyond question. However, it should not be seen as the only treatment available. Rather, it should be part of a continuum of treatment that also involves behavioral therapy.

“Behavioral approaches help engage people in drug abuse treatment, provide incentives for them to remain abstinent, modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug abuse, and increase their life skills to handle stressful circumstances and environmental cues that may trigger intense craving for drugs and prompt another cycle of compulsive abuse.”

Behavioral therapies address every element of a person’s addiction disease. It often includes one to one counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. In certain centers, and particularly luxury and private rehab centers, other forms of treatment such as equine therapy and art therapy can also be offered. Behavioral therapy not only provides patients with better coping and life skills, it also helps them come to terms with their past and may even make medication more effective.

How to Recover from Opioid Addiction

Recovering from an opioid addiction is a very complex and long process, but it is possible. When people first seek methadone treatment, they are often at their very lowest, having their lives completely taken over by their addiction. They are compelled to seek out more drugs and this compulsion has taken over their life. Methadone can break this cycle, giving patients the clarity that they need to stick to their treatment. Slowly but surely, they can learn to manage their disease, be offered positive reinforcement solutions to help avoid relapse, enhance their motivation to stay in treatment, and develop new relationships with their families and support networks. Methadone in itself does not make this possible. Rather, it makes it possible for people to become receptive to other forms of treatment, as it stops addicted individuals from compulsively seeking out their particular addictive substance. In so doing, they get a real chance at recovery.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to opioid drugs and want to find options for methadone treatment near you, give us a call at (855) 976- 2092.

Sources

[1] Opiate Relapse. (2018, November 25). Retrieved from https://drugabuse.com/opiates/relapse/

[2] The 10 Most Common Addiction Relapse Triggers – The Cabin Chiang Mai. (2018, August 29). Retrieved from https://www.thecabinchiangmai.com/blog/10-most-common-addiction-relapse-triggers/

[3] NIDA. (2018, January 17). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition on 2019, February 19

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Details About The Methadone Clinic

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Methadone clinics are specialized services offered to people who have an opioid addiction, including drugs such as heroin or prescription painkillers. At the clinic, they can receive treatment that is based on medication, most notably methadone, brand name Dolophine.

“This medication is used to treat severe ongoing pain (such as due to cancer). Methadone belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid (narcotic) analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has stated that methadone can be prescribed in wafers, liquids, or pills. It has been found to stop the effects of other opiates, thereby helping to break through the addiction. However, methadone must be prescribed by a physician as it is a Schedule II drug.

“Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous.”

Methadone is a very effective treatment for opioid addiction if administered properly. Indeed, it has the potential to change lives for the better. However, it is not a cure for addiction, but rather a component of the overall rehabilitation process.

Types of Methadone Clinics

There are two main types of methadone clinics: public and private facilities. Both are strictly regulated by federal and state laws. The treatment they offer leads to a number of specific benefits, including the fact that methadone treatment can help avoid withdrawal symptoms and cravings for the drug and that it stops other opioids from being effective.

Who Needs Methadone Clinics?

Methadone clinics exist in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and, according to SAMHSA, they are being used quite significantly and increasingly so.

“In 2011, 9 percent of all substance treatment facilities had OTPs. This percentage has consistently been between 8 and 9 percent since 2001, when the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration began certifying OTPs. While the number of facilities with OTPs has remained constant at around 1,100 to 1,200 since 2003, the number of clients receiving methadone on the survey reference date increased from about 227,000 in 2003 to over 306,000 in 2011. Clients receiving treatment with methadone accounted for approximately 21 to 25 percent of all substance abuse treatment clients each year.”

If someone suffers from an opiate addiction, they can visit a methadone clinic, either through a physician’s referral or directly. Over 50% of those who do are males, although female admissions are also common. Around a third of those admitted have been found to remain in treatment for over two years.

One thing that the latest SAMHSA survey has demonstrated is that treatment programs are particularly popular with veterans. Indeed, they have reported that 1 in 15 veterans suffers from a substance use disorder (SUD).

“Overall, about 1 in 15 veterans had a past year substance use disorder, whereas the national average among persons aged 17 or older was about 1 in 11, or 8.6 percent. The rate of substance use disorders among veterans ranged from 3.7 percent among pre-Vietnam-era veterans to 12.7 percent among those who served in the military since September 2001.”

Additionally, there are significant differences in substance abuse choices depending on age categories. Those aged between 18 and 25 are most likely to turn to heroin. An increase in heroin abuse has been noted in those over 26 years of age, but around 2.9 million of these people abuse prescription medication. Perhaps the most worrying statistics, however, is that just 11% of those who abuse alcohol or drugs receive treatment.

Federal laws state that only SAMHSA-certified treatment programs may dispense methadone. Thankfully, there are several of these facilities available. Other services, including drug use prevention, are also offered here. Furthermore, they help reduce criminal activity and the chance of infectious diseases by improving patients’ overall quality of life.

Why People Visit Methadone Clinics

Methadone was first legalized in this country in 1947. It was popularized during WW2 for its painkilling actions, but it was quickly found to also suppress drug withdrawal symptoms, usually for around 24 to 36 hours. Unfortunately, because it is so popular for the treatment of opioid addiction, it has become quite readily available and is therefore open to abuse.

“More recently it has emerged as a drug of abuse. This trend may be driven in part by the ready availability of the drug as it increasingly is used in the treatment of narcotic addiction and to relieve chronic pain.”

The main reason why someone would visit a methadone clinic, therefore, is to get help with opioid addiction. People can sign up to a treatment program in which an individualized plan is created for them. Others attend clinics following a relapse, looking for help to manage their cravings. Generally speaking, when someone attends a clinic for the first time, they will have to go through a screening process with a nurse or counselor before they are prescribed medication.

During the screening process, patients have to discuss their history, may have to give blood and a urine sample, and will be told about the program itself, what it aims to achieve, and its rules. A clinical evaluation will be conducted to determine how drug abuse has impacted a patient’s life and whether there are any medical and/or psychological co-occurring disorders. A medical review will also be conducted to determine the patient’s overall condition and their physical readiness to use methadone.

Another reason why a patient may attend this type of clinic is to get counseling. Methadone is not a cure for addiction, but rather an element of overall treatment. Counseling is an even more essential element and one that will generally continue for far longer as well.

“Substance abuse counselors provide a necessary support system for individuals recovering from eating disorders, drug and alcohol issues, gambling addictions, and other behavioral issues. By forming a relationship built on trust with their patients, counselors provide the support, resources, and judgement-free guidance that patients can utilize on their road to addiction recovery.”

Last but not least, people may attend the clinic because it is a requirement of their drug treatment program. Sometimes, they must attend every day, whereas others may be provided with several dosages to take at home, attending the clinic several times per week. When patients attend a methadone clinic, for whatever reason, they may also be accompanied by friends or family members, if appropriate, for more information call us at (855) 976-2092.

Sources 

[1] Drugs & Medications. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4101/dolophine-oral/details

[2] Drug Scheduling. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml

[3] SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018, 23). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov

[4] 1 in 15 Veterans Had a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_1969/Spotlight-1969.html

[5] National Drug Intelligence Center. (n.d.). Methadone Fast Facts – Questions and Answers. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs6/6096/6096p.pdf

[6] Wake Forest University. (2016, August 5). The Role of the Counselor in Addiction Recovery – WFU Online Counseling. Retrieved from https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/the-role-of-the-counselor-in-addiction-recovery/

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Problems With Methadone Treatment To Be Aware Of

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Methadone Success Rate

During the 1960s, scientists, researchers, psychologists, and medical professionals first started to look at the potential of methadone as a treatment for addiction to narcotics. Fast forward by around 50 years and methadone is now recognized as one of the most effective forms of treatment for opiate addictions. Significant research has taken place into the success rate of different treatment modalities. Research results claim that methadone seems to be the most successful of all.

“Substance disorders can be treated most cost-effectively in outpatient drug-free settings. Savings from transitioning to the most cost-effective treatment modality may free resources. These resources could be reinvested to improve access to substance abuse treatment for a larger number of individuals in need of such treatment.”

Some research suggests that those who detox or take part in a completely drug-free modality can expect a success rate of between 5% and 10%. In contrast, treatment, particularly methadone maintenance programs, have a success rate of 60% to 90%. The longer patients remain under treatment, the more successful they become in getting rehabilitated.

Problems with Methadone Treatment

Various studies have been conducted on the impact of heroin addiction among prisoners in particular. Unfortunately, it seems that prisoners, who theoretically should not have access to addictive substances while incarcerated, are at the greatest risk of overdose following incarceration release.

“Former inmates return to environments that strongly trigger relapse to drug use and put them at risk for overdose. Interventions to prevent overdose after release from prison may benefit from including structured treatment with a gradual transition to the community, enhanced protective factors, and reductions of environmental triggers to use drugs.”

One of the key reasons for this seems to be the fact that very few inmates are offered the opportunity to undergo methadone maintenance treatment, either during incarceration or afterward. According to some researchers, this is because the focus is too strong on drug-free modalities. The prison system is cited as a clear example of why this attitude fails because the reality is that inmates are able to access addictive substances while in prison.

California has been an example of best practice to a certain degree as they mentioned methadone maintenance in Proposition 36 – the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act.

“This initiative allows first and second time non-violent, simple drug possession offenders the opportunity to receive substance abuse treatment instead of incarceration.”

Unfortunately, it also seems that the state has struggled to incorporate methadone into their treatment options. There appears to be a strong bias against the synthetic opiate. This is believed to be directly responsible for the failure of treatment for many heroin addicts. Unfortunately, this also renders drug courts less effective and leads to wastage of vital resources

Buprenorphine vs Methadone

It is believed that the reason why some people are against methadone is a lack of understanding of tolerance. Essentially, people who use methadone as a form of treatment no longer experience a euphoric effect. If properly administered, methadone treatment does not make the patient high. Furthermore, there is a significant lack of understanding of the impact of chronic opiate exposure to brain chemistry. Thankfully, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is making an effort to increase understanding of what tolerance is and how the brain is affected by both short and long term opioid addiction.

“Tolerance to drugs can be produced by several different mechanisms, but in the case of morphine or heroin, tolerance develops at the level of the cellular targets.”

Until there is a better understanding of the continued changes in brain chemistry as a result of opiate addiction, even after detoxification, it is likely that opiate addicts who do not receive methadone treatment will continue to experience very high relapse rates.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to methadone treatment, one of which is buprenorphine.

“Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine, an alkaloid of the poppy Papaver somniferum. Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. This means that, although Buprenorphine is an opioid, and thus can produce typical opioid effects and side effects such as euphoria and respiratory depression, its maximal effects are less than those of full agonists like heroin and methadone.”

This medication, which has the same effectiveness rates as methadone, is currently available but only outside of the methadone system. This either-or approach means that those who opt for buprenorphine often do not receive other forms of addiction care such as counseling. It is vital, therefore, that changes are made.

Studies on Outcomes of Drug Treatment

One of the most significant pieces of research ever conducted into the outcomes of drug treatment was the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS) in the 1980s, ordered by Governor Wilson.

“Taking all costs and outcomes together, the authors’ preferred analysis suggests that the mean net benefit associated with structured treatment is positive. At the level of the individual, the probability that structured drug treatment is cost-effective is 81 per cent.”

Specifically, the report showed that for every $1 that was spent on drug treatment, a total of $12 was saved. Unfortunately, there has always been difficulty in getting those addicted to opiates to become interested in the treatment options. As a result, the consequences have affected overall community safety and public health. In a study by the UCLA, it was noted that deaths due to violence, infections, and accidents, as well as many repeated incarcerations, could have been avoided had methadone been used in a more aggressive manner.

Methadone treatment works. Several studies have demonstrated that the treatment,  long term, has fantastic positive effects. It increases the quality of life of patients and rebuilds family relationships. Methadone also increases the possibility of becoming productive community members, saves the legal and public health system money. This type of treatment reduces criminality or risky behaviors. Unfortunately, those in the legislature, in particular, must still be educated on the fact that narcotic addictions are a medical condition that requires treatment rather than punishment. One way to achieve that is by demonstrating the effectiveness of methadone treatment, and by continuing to show that investing in treatment leads to considerable financial savings to the taxpayer. Perhaps then, a difference can finally be made.

If you have more questions about Methadone Treatment, please give us a call at  855-976-2092 or check out our website.

Sources

[1] Mojtabai, R., & Zivin, J. G. (2003). Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of four treatment modalities for substance disorders: a propensity score analysis. Health services research, 38(1 Pt 1), 233-59. Retrieved From: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360883/

[2] Binswanger, I. A., Nowels, C., Corsi, K. F., Glanz, J., Long, J., Booth, R. E., & Steiner, J. F. (2012). Return to drug use and overdose after release from prison: a qualitative study of risk and protective factors. Addiction science & clinical practice, 7(1), 3. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3414824/

[3] California Society of Addiction Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://csam-asam.org/404.aspx?404;www.csam-asam.org:80/proposition-36-revisited

[4] NIDA. (2007, January 2). The Neurobiology of Drug Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/neurobiology-drug-addiction on 2019, February 20

[5] What exactly is Buprenorphine? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.naabt.org/faq_answers.cfm?ID=2

[6] Davies, L., Jones, A., Vamvakas, G., Dubourg, R., & Donmall, M. (2009, December). The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS) Cost-effective Analysis 2nd Edition. Retrieved from https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218141228/http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/horr25c.pdf

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Using Methadone For Detox Treatment Of Opioid Addiction

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Using methadone is one of the most popular methods to help people beat an opioid addiction. It is controversial, however, as it effectively means substituting one addictive and dangerous opiate for another. Indeed, there are significant pros and cons to this type of treatment, although most professionals agree that the benefits of methadone outweigh the risks if used properly. The reality is that methadone works, but when used incorrectly, it can be dangerous.

Detox Treatment of Opioid Addiction

It is now increasingly common for those addicted to opiates to be enrolled in a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program.

“In closed settings, MMT should be available to patients who have been receiving MMT in the community and wish to continue this treatment in the closed setting, and patients with a history of opioid dependence who wish to commence MMT. Patients should receive MMT for the entire duration of their detention in the closed setting. This ensures the maximum benefits of the treatment are obtained.”

What this means is that methadone is often not used for a short term detox, but rather as part of an ongoing maintenance program, one that can sometimes last for a very long time. This is because effectively using it for short term detox, requires a great deal of self-discipline and commitment.

How Does Methadone Work?

If used properly, methadone has the potential to remove 100% of the withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate addiction, because it is an opioid itself. It is a slow-acting opioid, however, which means that it does work as a painkiller and relaxant, but much slower than street drugs, such as heroin or opium. It also lasts much longer and, because there is no rapid onset, it does not create a euphoric high.

What few people understand, however, is how it can be beneficial to treat an addiction to opioids with another opioid. Essentially, this is due to the fact that the withdrawal symptoms associated with these addictions are very severe and often unmanageable as they trigger the fight or flight response. This is one of the reasons why so many people relapse.

What Is the Right Dosage for Methadone for Detox?

Methadone can almost instantly solve the problem of opioid withdrawal syndrome. However, it is vital that a medical professional find the correct “therapeutic dose”. If too little is given, the drug will have no effect. If too much is given, the patient can become high and can even overdose. This is why it is so important that patients seek appropriate help for methadone detox so that a trained professional can help determine the appropriate methadone dosage, while also understanding the relevant precautions.

“Dosing recommendations should only be considered as suggested approaches to what is actually a series of clinical decisions over time in the management of the pain of each individual patient; this drug has a narrow therapeutic index, especially when combined with other drugs.”

Usually, a patient is prescribed around 40mg or less of methadone for the first day. Over the next week or so, they will then determine whether it needs to be raised or lowered. Methadone is prescribed for three types of detox options, and the dosage will vary depending on which type you enroll in. They are:

1. The 21-day detox, which is short term detox
2. Long term detox, which usually lasts around 180 days
3. Maintenance program, which means you will continue to take methadone for a substantially longer period of time

How to Be Successful with Short Term Withdrawal

If you do not want to stay on methadone for a long period of time and your physician agrees that the 21-day detox is suitable for you, then you will likely be on methadone for no longer than a week, possibly even just three to four days. This is because the goal is simply to ensure your body contains enough opioid receptors to help you manage withdrawal. If done properly, it means you don’t just stop your body from becoming dependent on methadone, you also avoid the symptoms associated with going cold turkey. Going cold turkey is incredibly dangerous, not in the least because the chance of relapse and overdose is greatly increased at that point.

“As soon as people stop using heroin, their tolerance for the drug lowers, meaning less of the drug is needed to get high. Therefore, when people with heroin addiction relapse, they often overdose because they don’t realize their tolerance is lower than before.”

The reason why your overall detox will last 21 days is because it also ensures that you have the chance to access counseling and treatment, to determine whether there are co-occurring disorders, and to effectively give you a chance to recover properly before returning into the community.

The Downside of Methadone

For some, methadone has been a wonder drug. Many studies have shown that it is incredibly effective in the treatment of heroin addiction, leading to an increased quality of life (physically, psychologically, and socially), better family relations, and less risky and criminal behavior. However, there are some downsides to methadone as well, whether it is used short term or long term, and it is important to be aware of this.

Some of the problems with methadone relate to the side effects. They include sweating, weight gain, loss of libido, sexual dysfunction, constipation, depression, and sleepiness. All of that is caused by opioid-related endocrinopathy.

“Chronic opioid use may predispose to hypogonadism through alteration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis as well as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis.”

Another big complaint is that many people find it difficult to come off methadone. Some of that is down to fear of withdrawal, but some of is due to improper support. With short term methadone detox, in particular, treatment should ideally be offered on an inpatient basis, so that people are supported through the withdrawal of not just heroin, but also methadone. It is vital to understand that methadone is designed as a treatment, not as a full cure and that it can only be successful with proper support. For more information or assistance call us at (855) 976-2092.

Sources

[1] Methadone maintenance treatment – Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings – NCBI Bookshelf. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310658/

[2] Methadone Dosage Guide with Precautions – Drugs.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/dosage/methadone.html

[3] Is Quitting Heroin Cold Turkey a Good Idea? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/cold-turkey/

[4] Opioid-Related Endocrinopathy. (2015, October 13). Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/16/suppl_1/S9/2472492

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How Does Methadone Work?

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If you or someone you know is dealing with opiate addiction, you aren’t alone. Opiate addiction can happen to anyone, and many people that are addicted want a way to get clean.

Methadone has been hailed as a way to wean off of opiates, but some people are worried about using medication to stop their addiction to painkillers.

Do you ever find yourself wondering “how does methadone work?” We’re here to tell you what you need to know.

How Does Methadone Work?

Think of methadone as a different kind of medication. It’s a is a long-acting synthetic opioid analgesic that some people use for pain relief, but many more use it to treat addiction to strong opiates and opioids.

Think of methadone as your brain’s physical defense against the chemicals that opiates and heroin can release. Methadone works by filling up the brain receptor sites that would usually be affected by heroin and other opiates.

Methadone blocks the euphoric and sedating effects of opiates, but since it’s an opioid itself it also helps relieve cravings and symptoms associated with withdrawal from opiates.

Is Methadone Safe?

If you’re wondering how does methadone work, you may also be wondering if it’s safe to use to detox off of opiates. Methadone is safe for detox, but only under the supervision of a doctor and/or an addiction counselor.

It’s important to keep in mind that methadone is a medication and that it can have side effects like any other medicine. But people that take methadone according to doctor’s orders rarely experience negative side effects.

What Should I Know About Methadone?

When you’re asking yourself how does methadone work, it’s safe to assume that you may not know much about the medication.

Before you decide if methadone treatment is right for you or your loved one, take some time to learn a bit about methadone’s history and how it’s worked for other people.

Methadone Has Been Used To Treat Addiction For Years

There are a lot of myths about methadone treatment, one of which is that it’s a new drug. Methadone may seem like relatively new drug treatment, but it’s actually been used to treat heroin addiction for decades.

Doctors Vincent Dole and Marie Nyswander pioneered what was known as a methadone maintenance treatment for opiates in the 1960s.

Their work was revolutionary at the time. People were looking for a good way to treat heroin addiction but didn’t have much success with the medications they were using.

MMT changed the lives of the test subjects. Alleged lifelong addicts were able to stop their habits, reconcile with family members, work, and generally get their lives back in order.

Their methods have evolved and grown over the years, but the two doctors laid the groundwork for modern addiction treatment today.

Methadone Is a Legitimate Medication

People that are currently abusing opiates can be worried about trading one addiction for another. The truth is that methadone is a medication that can treat addiction problems.

When patients take methadone daily and reach a stable dose, they don’t report feelings of euphoria or feeling “high”. They feel normal and can go about their days.

This is why it’s important to only use methadone under a doctor’s or rehabilitation center’s care. They can ensure that you’re only taking therapeutic doses and can control your access to medication.

Methadone The Most Effective Opiate Addiction Treatments

If you’re asking yourself “how does methadone work”, you’re also asking yourself if it actually can work to treat your addiction.

Statistically, methadone is the most effective opiate treatment. The methadone treatment success rate can range anywhere from 60% to 90%.

It’s also important to know that success can take on more forms than quitting opiates.

Methadone treatment can reduce the risk of overdose or transmitting diseases like HIV and Hepatitis. It could also reduce criminal activity, and lead to more positive employment outcomes.

In terms of numbers and the sheer amount of positive outcomes, methadone treatment can be the best options for people.

Methadone Can Treat Withdrawal Symptoms

One of the reasons why some people delay stopping the use of opiates is because they’re worried about having to go through withdrawal.

Withdrawal can be a physically and emotionally intense experience. But luckily, the right methadone treatment can help alleviate the symptoms.

The aches, pains, and flu-like symptoms people experience during withdrawal can be easily helped with methadone. The same goes for digestive discomforts like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Methadone can also help drastically decrease cravings for a patient. This can help people psychologically deal with their treatments better, and make them less likely to relapse.

Methadone Treatment Can Give You More Freedom

A lot of people Googling the phrase “how does methadone work” want to go into treatment for opiate addiction, but are worried about how it will interfere with their lives.

Work, family care, and other responsibilities can make getting an extended stay in an in-person treatment facility difficult. Luckily, methadone can help people treat their problems and still live their lives.

Methadone with outpatient treatment can help you maintain your lifestyle and get clean.

Methadone is long lasting, it can stay in your system for 24-36 hours. Some people are able to go to their treatment facility, get their medicine, then go about their day.

Therapy Can (And Should) Be Paired With Methadone

If you choose to use methadone to stop abusing opiates, know that methadone alone isn’t the only way for you to stop using.

Physically finding a way to end your dependency on drugs is important, but it’s also important to treat the psychological reasons behind why you want to use opiates.

Drug counseling and therapy can do wonders for people trying to end their addiction. Individual therapy, group therapy, or a mix of both can help people when they’re detoxing and can help well after they’re clean.

Next Steps

Now that you know how effective methadone can be, you may be eager to learn more about methadone and treating opiate addiction.

Check out our post on opiate withdrawal remedies so you can be prepared to handle some of the unpleasant side effects of detox. To get proper assistance with opiate addiction, consider reaching out for help.

And remember, we have a lot of useful information about methadone on our site. Browse our site or contact (855) 976-2092 to learn the best way to use methadone for opiate addiction.

 

Sources

[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, January 22). Opioid Overdose Crisis. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis

[2] NIDA International Program. (n.d.). Methadone Research Web Guide. Retrieved from drugabuse.gov: https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/parta.pdf

 

 

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Recognizing the Signs of Opioid Overdose

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Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Opioid overdose deaths make up more than half of that number.

Opioid overdoses accounted for more than 42,000 deaths in 2016, greater than any previous year on record. About 40 percent of those deaths involved a prescription opioid.

Opioid addiction has reached epidemic levels in the United States, says the CDC. This includes addiction to prescription opioids, as well as heroin.

And studies show that four in five heroin users started out by becoming addicted to and misusing prescription painkillers.

With more and more lives being lost, it’s essential to be able to recognize the signs of opioid overdose. We’ve put together a guide to help you.

What Are Opioids?

Three opioid medications that are often overdosed are Vicodin, OxyContin, and morphine.

Vicodin is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It’s one of the most frequently prescribed narcotic painkillers.

OxyContin contains oxycodone, another painkiller used to treat severe or chronic pain.

Morphine is the painkiller used in hospitals and hospices. It’s the gold standard for fighting pain.

Illegal opioids include heroin and fentanyl.

How Does an Opioid Overdose Occur?

When doctors prescribe opiate painkillers, they intend these drugs for short-term use only. But some people become addicted to them, sometimes from the first time they take them.

Then they seek these medications out, taking too much or going from one doctor to another for prescriptions. They will often mix opioids, and combine them with alcohol.

Many will move on to illegal opioids like heroin and fentanyl when they can no longer get a prescription.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is also being implicated in an increasing number of opioid overdoses.

People who get hooked on opioid medications sometimes develop a tolerance to them, so they have to have more and more to get the same high or just to feel “normal.”

It’s a dangerous situation that can easily lead to deadly overdoses.

In other cases, someone who is not addicted and has a legitimate prescription might misread the dosage or forget they already took it.

Signs of Opioid Overdose

How do you know if someone is just very high or showing signs of an opioid overdose? Sometimes it can be hard to tell.

But here are some symptoms that would signal an overdose.

There are three primary ones and some others that may be present.

Difficulty breathing

Opioids work on the respiratory system, limiting breathing and leaving a person weak, less alert, and lethargic. Any kind of breathing problems, including slow or irregular breathing, is a sign something is wrong.

Opioids cause hypoventilation. It’s the opposite of “hyperventilation.” Here, an overdose victim’s breathing rate slows, and their lungs do not completely expand and contract.

Keep an eye on the chest. If you can barely see it rising and falling, the person could have overdosed.

Depressed breathing is the most dangerous side effect of opioid overdose. If a person experiencing an opioid overdose is left alone and asleep, the person could easily die as their respiratory depression worsens.

Pinpoint Pupils

An overdose victim will have almost imperceptible pupils or “pinpoint pupils.” Check to see if he or she has eyes dominated by the iris with little to no sign of a pupil.

Loss of Consciousness

Especially with slowed breathing, loss of consciousness is a real possibility. The individual will fail to move or respond to anything.

It’s critical to get medical attention before this occurs, if possible. Lack of oxygenated blood circulating in the body can be disastrous, including leading to brain and nervous system damage.

Other Symptoms

In addition to the top three symptoms, other signs of opioid overdose may include vomiting, the inability to speak, or a faint heartbeat. Victims may act drunk or delirious.

Overdose victims may also be pale, with clammy skin. Their legs and arms may go limp, and they may have purple or blue fingernails and lips.

Never assume that just because someone doesn’t have all these signs of opioid overdose that they are not experiencing one.

It’s better to be safe than sorry. If you suspect an overdose, get medical help right away. A timely response may make all the difference.

Responding to an Opioid Overdose

Victims of opioid overdoses can often be saved if they get help in time.

Once you’ve recognized the signs of an overdose, here’s what you should do.

Call 911, obviously.

While waiting for emergency medical help to get there, roll the overdose victim (if he or she is unconscious) over on their side to keep them from choking in case they vomit.

If the person is conscious, keep them awake and talking if possible.

Don’t leave a person who has overdosed alone. Overdose victims can rapidly take a turn for the worse. If they are awake, they could wander away and be seriously hurt.

If they are unconscious, they could stop breathing and not be able to receive medical help before it is too late.

Once the person who has overdosed gets emergency medical care, doctors may use a variety of treatments to save him or her, including intubating them to ensure proper breathing.

Other treatments will include activated charcoal administration to prevent absorption of any more of the ingested drugs, along with pumping of the stomach.

Treatment for cardiac arrest may also be necessary if heart problems occur.

Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdoses

One of the most important treatments for an opioid overdose is Naloxone.

Naxolone is a medication that’s been used in emergency rooms for several years to reverse overdoses, especially heroin overdoses.

Now, many emergency responders and others carry injectable or nasal spray form of naloxone to treat people who have overdosed.

Whether someone has overdosed on prescription pills or fentanyl, Naloxone (also known by the brand name Narcan), can bring victims back from the brink of death.

Naloxone blocks the fatal effects of opioids.

Once naloxone has stabilized an overdose victim, he or she will be taken to a hospital for further treatment.

Get Help for Opioid Addiction

Once an opioid overdose victim has recovered, he or she may need professional help to overcome opioid addiction.

The withdrawal symptoms that occur when someone tries to overcome an addiction to heroin are so severe that people often relapse.

There are clinics available that addicts can go to when they want to get help to overcome their addiction.

Want to learn more?

If so, check out our methadone treatment blog posts today or call us at (855) 976-2092 for more resources to help you make an informed decision about how to navigate the recovery process.

Sources

[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, January 29). Overdose Death Rates. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates

[2] American Society on Addiction Medicine. (2016). Opioid Addiction 2016 – Facts & Figures. Retrieved from https://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/opioid-addiction-disease-facts-figures.pdf