How Can I Safely Detox from Methadone?

Methadone is the most popular medication for opiate and opioid withdrawal syndrome. Unfortunately, since it also contains opiates, it is addictive. When you stop taking methadone, you will go through withdrawal.

Going through withdrawal is a miserable experience on your own. Fortunately, there are varieties of treatment types that allow you to safely detox from methadone. To find the treatment type that is right for you, call 800-678-5931(Who Answers?) .

Medication Assisted Methadone Addiction Treatment

Medication assisted methadone treatment is one of the most comprehensive therapies you can try for this addiction. It involves both counseling and medication therapy to solve all of the issues associated with methadone detox.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, the medications used for methadone addiction or any opiate addiction treatment are:

Detox from Methadone

Medications can make methadone detox more comfortable.

These medications act like methadone but are less likely to cause addiction and dependence. They are also easier to taper down from after treatment is over.

Once your medication is regulated, the detox is not over. You will never get away from methadone and other opiates, if you do not change the behaviors that started the addiction. You make this change by going to counseling.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the forms of counseling they use are:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Multidimensional family therapy
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Motivational incentives
  • Contingency management therapy

These types of therapy are useful in many of the methadone detox programs.

Medication Maintenance Methadone Addiction Treatment

Maintenance treatment is very similar to medication assisted treatment. The only difference is that at the end of medication assisted treatment you taper off the substitute medication. In methadone maintenance treatment, you can stay on the medication indefinitely.

Tapering

You can also choose to taper off methadone. This is one of the more difficult ways to do without the support of medications. During tapering your doctor slowly reduces your dose of methadone. This can happen daily, weekly, and sometimes monthly. Each tapering schedule is a bit different because its designed to meet your needs.

This method is not for those who suffer from chronic pain disorders as well as addiction. Tapering only works, if you need to get completely off the opiates.

12 Step Methadone Addiction Treatment

During 12 step methadone detox, you stop methadone suddenly and completely. Then you attend meetings where other addicts are there to help you through your withdrawal. Although this method is usually safe, it often leads to relapse.

If you relapse, taking your normal dose of methadone can cause you to overdose. When you have gone through withdrawal it lowers you tolerance. This may cause you to accidentally take too much methadone. Due to the nature of methadone, it is extremely easy to overdose.

Finding a Safe Way to Detox from Methadone

The best way to safely detox from methadone is through a treatment center. To find the right treatment center for you, call 800-678-5931(Who Answers?) . We can help you with all of your detox and addiction needs.

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