5 Ways to Overcome an Addiction to Methadone

For millions of people, methadone has been a life-saving tool to help them get off their opiate addiction. However, because methadone is classified as a Schedule II substance, this means that it has a high abuse potential.

For a select few addicts, instead of experiencing the helpful effects of methadone, they end up finding themselves addicted. Methadone can produce both a physical dependence and psychological addiction if not used properly.

Luckily, being addicted to methadone is not as serious as being addicted to other opiates. With a lot of help and determination, you can easily end your methadone addiction and become drug-free for good.

1. Talk to Your Doctor

The first thing you should always do if you are addicted to any substance is converse with a doctor. They can look at your medical history and recommend the best and safest method of treatment moving forward. This might be altering your methadone schedule to reduce your intake of the drug and slowly curb you addiction.

They might also be able to recommend counseling or other rehab programs depending on the severity of your addiction.

2. Use a Support Hotline

Call our toll-free helpline for advice on overcoming methadone addiction.

In some cases, you might not be ready to talk with a doctor because you feel scared or anxious. In these cases, using a support hotline for help is a good tool to prepare yourself for a doctor visit.

If you’d like to learn more about methadone addiction and how to overcome it, our support specialists can give you the knowledge and power you need before you visit your doctor. Call us at 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) to learn more.

3. Prepare for Withdrawal Symptoms

While methadone does not have as severe withdrawal symptoms as heroin or other drugs, they are still quite potent and unbearable. By preparing yourself to experience these symptoms, you can be mentally and physically ready when the time comes.

Some common withdrawal symptoms include:

constipation or abdominal pain
sweating or chills
sexual dysfunction
trouble sleeping
depression and anxiety
extreme cravings

4. Try Switching to Another Drug

In some cases, your doctor might be able to switch you to another drug in order to help you get off methadone. For example, one alternative to methadone is buprenorphine.

It will also provide the reduced side effects of methadone while blocking withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to stop taking methadone without relapsing back to heroin.

My Friend Got Addicted to Methadone While in Treatment: Will that Happen to Me?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Recent reports have highlighted the potential dangers, including death, of the improper use (or abuse) of methadone.” These reports, coupled with the fact that methadone is one of the two most highly abused drugs in the country, cause many to wonder if they could possibly become addicted ….

5. Alter Your Methadone Schedule

Methadone is a long-lasting drug, meaning that most patients only need to take it once a day in order to benefit from its effects. If you’ve built up to taking it more frequently than this, you will need to alter your methadone schedule.

Ask your doctor to help you taper off your doses and get back to the recommended amount at the recommended times.

Getting over a methadone addiction can be hard, especially if you began taking it as a method of getting over another opiate addiction.

However, with support from your doctor, family, and other loved ones, you will be able to overcome it.

For more inspiration and tips on overcoming methadone addiction, please call us at 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) .