Coping with Methadone Side Effects While in Recovery from Heroin Addiction

Methadone can be an excellent tool in curbing your heroin addiction. However, that doesn’t mean it is completely free from problems.

Because methadone is a slow-acting opioid agonist, it reacts in your body much like heroin does. While it is relatively safe if you follow the recommended dosage, it is possible that you might have an adverse reaction to the medication.

Luckily, you’ll be monitored after taking methadone for your first few doses when starting treatment to make sure you aren’t having any life-threatening problems. Unfortunately, though, you might still experience other uncomfortable issues.

What Are the Side Effects of Methadone?

Mood swings are a common methadone side effect.

Some of the most common side effects of methadone include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Mood swings
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Flushing

In rare cases, you might experience more severe side effects, such as:

• Stupor
• Coma
• Respiratory depression and decreased heart rate
• Chest pain
• Hives or rash

If you begin to experience these more severe side effects, it’s vital that you seek help from a medical professional right away. They could indicate an emergency situation and you might need intervention to prevent long-term damage or death.

As for the other side effects, they can easily be managed with a bit of help. For more advice, give us a call at 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) to speak with a specialist now.

Dealing with Dizziness

Dizziness is common, especially after standing or changing direction. To avoid falling over, always be sure to get up slowly and use assistance if needed.

Dealing with Mood Swings

Mood swings can make unbearable to be around you. This is especially detrimental if you’re going through heroin rehab, as you’ll need all the support you can get. Try doing meditative or anger management exercises to keep you calm and explain to your loved ones that anything you say in a fit of rage might just be a methadone side effect.

Dealing with Headache

Headaches are more than annoying – they can prevent you from working or living life. Luckily, you can take over-the-counter pain medications to help numb this symptom. Avoiding triggers, like loud sounds, bright lights, and irksome smells is also a good idea.

Dealing with Dry Mouth

There are a number of things you can do to stop dry mouth, including chewing sugar-free gum, limiting your caffeine intake, and sipping water on a regular basis.

Here’s What We Learned After Studying 1,569 People Who Used a Methadone Clinic to Overcome Heroin Addiction

This study shows what was and wasn’t effective for recovering addicts who attended outpatient methadone clinics for heroin addiction.

Dealing with Nausea

Nausea can make it hard to get the nutrition you need to stay healthy. Try to eat foods that are easy to digest, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet).

Dealing with Constipation

To keep things moving, try taking an over-the-counter laxative or eating more fibrous foods to assist in the digestion process. Additionally, make sure to drink eight to 10 cups of water a day, with a few cups of warm liquids as well.

Dealing with Flushing

While flushing isn’t a major symptom, it can still be embarrassing to walk around with a red face. If you’ve noticed a particular trigger, try to avoid it. Otherwise, facial cover-up can help to mask this tell-tale redness.

Ready to begin methadone treatment for your heroin addiction? As you can see, there’s nothing to worry about. Just give us a call at 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) to find the nearest treatment center to you.