How to Tell If Someone is On Methadone & When to Seek Treatment for Addiction

If you’re thinking of going on methadone as a treatment for your opioid addiction, you might be curious about how it will affect you.

In particular, you might be wondering if it will change your behavior and affect the way people see you.

By learning more about the signs and symptoms of methadone as well as the stigma surrounding methadone use, you can better determine when it’s the best time for you to seek treatment for addiction.

The Signs of Methadone Use

There are many symptoms you might experience when you take methadone. While they usually aren’t noticeable to an ordinary person, for a trained individual, they will be obvious.

Some of the most common effects include:

Drowsiness and dry mouth are common methadone side effects.

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Mood swings
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Decreased reflexes

As you can see, because of the generalness of these symptoms, it can often be hard to tell if someone is on methadone. From the outside, they may just look tired and moody, sluggish, or slightly ill with a cold.

Curious about how these symptoms of methadone use might affect you? Call us at 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) to talk with a methadone specialist.

Will Someone Think Less of Me for Using Methadone?

Unfortunately, there is a stigma in our culture surrounding methadone use.

For some reason, many people think it is simply replacing your addiction for one drug with another. In fact, one study done by a group of researchers found that many people in the United States equate drug use with being a “criminal” or “junkie.”

They don’t understand that this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Seeking treatment for your addiction means that whatever you did in the past, you are ready to put it behind you. You are in the process of becoming a better person overall.

At the end of the day, this is what it’s important to focus on. The thoughts or opinions of others should have no bearing on your recovery.

Methadone as a Heroin Addiction Treatment: Comparing the Side Effects

The side effects of methadone are generally mild, especially in comparison to heroin withdrawal symptoms.

How Do I Know When to Seek Methadone Treatment?

If you take any sort of opioids in a non-prescribed way, then you should always be thinking about getting treatment.

However, it is not an easy decision to make. You have to ensure that you will be committed to leading a healthier life during the entire process. Even just one small slip-up could have fatal consequences.

When you do finally decide that it’s time to seek treatment for addiction, don’t delay. Receiving treatment fast is one of the crucial pillars in preventing relapse.

In addition, it’s important to:

• Have a therapeutic alliance with a credible counselor that can guide you through the process
• Find a support base that will encourage and assist you during treatment
• Develop a relapse prevention plan to ensure you don’t go back to drugs
• Find outside support groups

Remember that you aren’t in this alone. We are always standing by ready to help.

If you’d like to talk about the possibility of drug treatment, call us at 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) . We can work with you and provide advice on whether or not you’re ready to begin your journey to sobriety.