What Your Methadone Clinic Isn’t Telling You About MMT

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over four million people used heroin in the past year around 23 percent of these people become addicted. One of the more common treatments for heroin addiction is the use of methadone. There are methadone clinics set up all over the world in order to help opiate addicts. Like any type of addiction treatment, there are things that clinics do not tell you about methadone maintenance treatment.

Methadone is Highly Addictive

Even if you are already struggling with addiction, it is possible to become addicted to Methadone.

One of the most common misconceptions about methadone is that it is a non-addictive alternative to opiate use. Unfortunately, this is not true. It is as easy to become dependent on methadone, as it is to become dependent on opiates. This is why methadone maintenance treatment should only be started if it is necessary. In the case of chronic pain and other disorders, methadone is a viable alternative to the more harmful opiates.

There are Alternatives to Methadone that are just as Effective

Many methadone clinics focus only on methadone. They do not tell you that there are treatments that help prevent withdrawal and cravings but do not have the side effects of methadone. Many of these treatments are readily available at rehabs and drug treatment centers. These treatments are:

• symptom control
• Suboxone
• Subutex and
• cold turkey treatments.

Methadone Alone is not the Answer

Although methadone treatment is highly effective in treating cravings and withdrawal, it is not a full treatment for addiction. In order to be completely free of addictive drugs you have to taper off methadone eventually. A comprehensive treatment program should include:

• medical care,
• individual counseling,
• group counseling,
• methadone adjustment, and
• other treatment techniques.

Without the proper care, you might be forced to take methadone for the rest of your life or relapse without it. Although most of the time this is not the case, it is a possibility.

Methadone can be Dangerous

Methadone is an opiate like drug. It is as dangerous as many other drugs on the market. Taking opiates along with methadone can cause serious issues. It is not always the best treatment for an opiate addiction. If you are a binge opiate user or tend to break treatment protocol methadone treatment probably is not for you.

It is surprisingly easy to overdose on methadone. Since it is a powerful long acting drug, some people choose to double the dose when they are on methadone. Although most people do okay on methadone maintenance treatment, those that do not follow the treatment protocol exactly expose themselves to serious risks such as overdose, tolerance, dependence, and death.

As with any type of treatment, there are things about methadone maintenance treatment that clinics do not automatically tell you. This is why it is important to ask any questions you have before starting treatment. If you have any problems or doubts, be sure to talk to your clinic contact. For help finding a clinic or more information about methadone maintenance call use at 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) .