How Does Methadone Work and Why is it Effective for Drug Treatment?

In many opioid drug treatments, addicts are told to take methadone in order to suppress the euphoric feelings of the drugs they use. Is it very effective for those going through withdrawal during the recovery process but it should not be used as a substitute for the addiction. It is important to know how methadone works and why it is effective for drug treatment before use.

How It Works

Methadone have been known to have gradual waves of action and produces more stable levels for the drugs in the brain. This causes no “rush” when using the drug and significantly decreases the desire to use the drug.

According to the NIDA, when patients undergo treatment, they do not experience behavioral or physiological symptoms that are produced by the rapid fluctuations that drugs can cause. These maintenance treatments have been shown to save lives by stabilizing the addict enough for medical and psychological treatment so that they can contribute successfully with the people in their lives.

Methadone does not work for alcohol, marijuana or cocaine but is mostly used for opiate addictions to relieve pain. It is offered as a pill or oral solution to produce a gradual detox as opposed to a potentially painful and emotional withdrawal process. According to the National Institute of Justice, the effects of methadone can last up to 36 hours, which benefits the patient from a single daily dosage.

Effective for Drug Treatment

Methadone is safe when used as prescribed and can be taken for years if needed.

If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction and needs help, call 800-994-1867Who Answers? to speak with a caring specialist that can assist you.

It is Safe for Use

As long as Methadone is use as prescribed, it can be taken for years without any side effects. It is very well tested that is safe for the user, as it cannot impair mental function or the individual’s daily activities. It is not over the counter but rather prescribed by a medical professional under strict federal and state guidelines. They are also only produced by licensed pharmaceutical companies.

Additional Information

Methadone has been shown to be an effective treatment for opioid for over 40 years and have no major side effects. However, methadone has been shown to produce smaller side effects such as headaches, nausea, and a change in libido if it is not taken in the right dosage. It is also one of the most affordable drug treatment options and is approved to ensure that the individual is not substituting one drug for another.

Methadone is not used in most drug tests unless a company specifically asks for it. Even if it is asked for, the patient who uses it in an approved methadone program is protected by the American with Disabilities Act, which protects them from denied employment based on its use. Methadone is not an illegal drug and it is not illegal to drive or operate heavy machinery while it is in use.

Methadone is very effective for drug treatment. It stops the drug from causing a high in the brain, which can help to ease the individual off it without the difficulty of a withdrawal. It is perfectly safe to use in prescribed doses and can last years during the recovery. It also has only minor side effects and is not an illegal drug, so the patient cannot be penalized for it with employment or while driving.

For immediate help finding a treatment center that can save your life, call 800-994-1867Who Answers?.

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