How Do I Know I Won’t Become Addicted to Methadone?

Methadone is a habit-forming drug, and especially if you have a history of opioid abuse (which most individuals on methadone maintenance do), there is a possibility that you may become addicted to this drug. But if you are careful with your use of it and take it exactly as prescribed, you can rest assured you will not become addicted to methadone.

Do Not Deviate from Your Prescription

Taking your prescription exactly as directed by your doctor will help you to avoid addiction.

As stated by the National Library of Medicine, when you are taking methadone, you must “not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer period of time or in a different way than prescribed by your doctor.” Any of these actions is considered to be methadone abuse, even if you are not actively attempting to feel the euphoric effects of the drug. If you do take more of your prescription or take it in another way than prescribed (crushing and snorting it, etc.) in order to feel these effects, however, this can lead you toward addiction.

Therefore, you must never deviate from your prescription. Even if you believe that you need to take more or less methadone than you are currently on, do not dose yourself, but ask your doctor to change your dosage instead. Do not make any alterations to the way you take your medication unless your doctor okays it first.

Reach Out to Others for Support

This is bound to be a difficult time for you, as recovery can be very hard and transitioning into methadone treatment isn’t always an easy path. However, you can always ask the people in your life for support, strength, help, and love, especially when you are concerned that you may be considering the possibility of methadone abuse.

Your friends and family members can be a wonderful source of support, and those you care about most will likely be able to help remind you of why you decided to attend treatment in the first place. In addition, the doctors, nurses, counselors, volunteers, and other individuals at your methadone center can be supportive. The National Institute of Justice states, methadone maintenance “involves providing patients with comprehensive rehabilitation services,” and support is one of the most important services a treatment program can provide.

If you are looking for more assistance and encouragement, consider joining SMART Recovery, Narcotics Anonymous, or one of the many other mutual-help groups that ask members to share with each other and help one another sustain their respective recoveries.

Does Methadone Treatment Get You High?

Methadone is an opioid agonist and, therefore, can cause euphoria like other opioids when taken at certain high doses. However, when used to treat opioid addiction and when taken as prescribed, the drug does not cause a person to get high. How Are the Euphoric Effects Avoided in Methadone Treatment? The euphoric effects of the ….

Know When You’re In Trouble

If you notice the signs that you may be in trouble of abusing your methadone medication, you must talk to your doctor. It is important to know when you may be about to abuse your medication, and if you feel this is a possibility, you should use preventative measures before it happens.

You can know you won’t become addicted to methadone if you do not give into abusing the drug. And, as stated by the NIDA, “Only after several months of adherence to the clinic’s regulations are patients” even allowed to take their medication home. Methadone maintenance is safe and effective, and you can receive methadone treatment without becoming addicted to the drug. Call 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) to find out more about the treatment method and its regulations.