Methadone as a Heroin Addiction Treatment: Comparing the Side Effects

If you’re looking for ways to curb your heroin addiction, you might have come across methadone as a potential solution.

In your research, you might have also seen a lot of negative opinions on methadone and how it is simply replacing one drug with another. Quite simply, most of these opinions are wrong.

Methadone is much safer and reliable than taking heroin. To prove this, we’ve compiled a list of the side effects of both drugs so that you can see for yourself the benefits of methadone.

Side Effects of Methadone

Methadone is a medication that works similar to heroin. However, it is a synthetic opioid, meaning that it prevents other opiates from reacting in your system.

This will stop you from getting high if you try to take heroin while on methadone.

Even better, because methadone is satisfying your brain’s need for opiates, it prevents any withdrawal symptoms from appearing after you stop heroin.

However, that doesn’t mean methadone is completely without side effects. Here are some of the most common side effects it can produce:

Dry mouth and headaches are common methadone side effects.

• Dry mouth or sore tongue
• Stomach pain
• Problems urinating
• Weight gain
• Headache
• Changes in vision or mood
• Problems with sleep

In rare cases, methadone causes extreme side effects, such as:

• Seizures
• Rash, hives, swelling, or itching
• Agitation or hallucinations
• Respiratory depression

Side Effects of Heroin

Heroin, on the other hand, has a number of dangerous and life-threatening side effects, especially if you take too much at one time.

At first, users feel a rush, combined with dry mouth and a heavy feeling in the extremities. However, this can eventually lead to:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe itching
• Drowsiness
• Depressed respiration and heartbeat
• Feeling disoriented or agitated
• Coma
• Death

Over time, heroin can even cause white matter in the brain to deteriorate, affecting your ability to make decisions and behave normally.

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From Painkillers to Heroin to Methadone––What My Recovery Looks Like

Those who use methadone to overcome an addiction to painkillers or heroin have to consider the eventual need to wean off of methadone, or to remain on it indefinitely.

Ways to Cope With Both Side Effects

Regardless of whether you are taking heroin or methadone, if you’re experiencing severe side effects, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. If left untreated, these symptoms could lead to permanent disability or death.

To avoid severe side effects, avoid taking too much of either drug, even if you feel they aren’t working.

Additionally, be cautious using heavy machinery, driving, and performing other mechanical tasks while under the influence of either drug. Because they can alter your perception, you might end up hurting yourself or others.

As for the less severe side effects, maintaining a normal sleep schedule, sticking with easy to digest foods, staying hydrated, and using itch relief cream can help you feel a bit better.

As you can see, methadone is a very safe drug that has saved thousands of lives since its inception in the 1960s. Its side effects are much more tame than the side effects of heroin, meaning its a much better drug to be on.

Still uncertain about whether or not methadone is right for you? Just call us at 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) and we can provide alternative recommendations or answer your questions.