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Methadone Addiction, Abuse and Recovery Programs in ID

Methadone Abuse, Addiction and Treatment Programs for Recovery in Idaho

Methadone addiction and abuse continues to be a serious problem in Idaho, as well as in the Northwest in general.

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Detox and rehab are often required before a person is able to get off this drug. But a lot of people do not realize how dangerous stopping this medication can be because it is prescribed and recommended by their doctor. 

When it is used appropriately, methadone can be very effective. But the reality is that people are often left on it for years, which only makes their addictions that much stronger. This drug can and often is abused recreationally as well. As an opioid drug, it is considered one of the major players behind the opioid crisis

Fortunately, it is possible to recover from a methadone addiction, regardless of how long a person has been taking it. With the right support and treatment, addicts will find that they can reach their goal of getting sober once and for all. 

Methadone Addiction Information

What is Methadone?

Methadone is a drug that was originally developed in the 1930s. It has been used to treat chronic pain, and also as an opioid replacement therapy drug for people with opioid addictions. It may be sold under a few different names, including Methadose, Dolophine and Diskets. It can be taken by mouth or as an injection.

When Methadone is used to treat pain, it is never prescribed as the first option. This is because it is highly addictive, so other types of drugs are often tried first. People who experience severe, ongoing pain are often recommended for this drug because it may be the only one that works.

Methadone is a very powerful medication, and a lot of people do not realize that. People often take it without realizing that or without understanding how addictive it is. Once a person starts taking it, it does not take long to get addicted to it. This often happens completely by accident, and it comes as a surprise to the user.


All About Methadone: Various Uses 

Methadone has been viewed as a great alternative to Morphine for pain relief because it has a much longer half-life. People can generally take Methadone and expect it to last them all day, as opposed to Morphine, which only lasts a few hours. When it’s used for pain relief, it works by increasing the body’s pain threshold, and the effects are felt almost immediately. 

Methadone is also used to treat Opiate addiction, and many drug detox centers actually rely on it for this purpose. It helps to alleviate the side effects of Opiate withdrawal and virtually eliminates cravings, which is why so many people feel it’s a great choice when they want to quit using these types of drugs. 

As with other Opiates, while this one has its practical uses, and even though it’s very effective when it’s being taken properly, it’s still potentially addictive. For those who use it to detox from other drugs, Methadone can cause its own addictive response, which means that people who take it often need to detox from it as well. For those who use Methadone as a way to treat chronic pain, the potential for Methadone abuse and eventual addiction is quite high. 

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Methadone Abuse: The Pathway to Addiction 

Many people end up using Methadone as a way to self-medicate when they have chronic pain. They may take the drug for longer than recommended by their doctor, or they may increase their dosages. Some people have even found ways to obtain Methadone illegally on the street. All of these are excellent examples of Methadone abuse, which can lead to addiction in a relatively short period of time. Consider these facts: 

  • Increasing your dose of Methadone is the only way to experience a euphoric high
  • Increasing your dose of Methadone is likely to lead to serious side effects
  • Physical dependency is very easy to achieve when you take Methadone
  • Almost one-third of all prescription drug overdose deaths involve Methadone every year
  • Almost all Methadone-related deaths are the result of an addiction 

Overdosing on Methadone is so easy because the drug remains active in the body for up to sixty hours. If you’ve overdosed, you’re likely to experience: 

  • Respiratory distress
  • A weakened pulse
  • Heart issues, including tachycardia
  • A blue tint on your extremities
  • Feelings of being disoriented
  • Constipation 

You may also go into a coma. 

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Northpoint Recovery is a state of the art, comfortable and modern inpatient detox and drug rehab facility designed to help our clients get the help they need to overcome addiction.

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The Opioid Crisis in Idaho

Opioid overdose deaths have skyrocketed across the country, and Idaho is no exception to that. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that:

  • There were more than 70,000 drug overdose deaths in Idaho in 2017.
  • Among those deaths, close to 48,000 of them involved one or more opioid drugs.
  • In 2017, more than 70.3 prescriptions for opioid drugs were written for every 100 people in Idaho.
  • This may be Idaho’s lowest prescribing rate in years, but it is still much higher than the national average of 58.7.
  • The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in Idaho has remained about the same for several years.
  • In 2017, it was 14.4.

Sadly, methadone is a drug that is named often in drug overdose reports. This is generally because people do not realize what a dangerous drug it really is.


Realizing You’re Addicted: Methadone Withdrawal 

It’s possible that you didn’t realize that you were becoming addicted to Methadone, and it happened to you very quickly. Now that you know you’re addicted, and you realize that there are other alternatives available to you for the treatment you need, you want to stop taking it. It’s important for you to understand that Methadone is a very potent drug. It should never be stopped abruptly, and doing so can lead to serious Methadone withdrawal symptoms that include: 

  • An increased heart rate
  • A sensation of disorientation
  • Intense cravings for Methadone
  • Symptoms of depression
  • A chronic headache
  • An upset stomach with nausea and vomiting 

The safest way to stop taking Methadone is to talk with a professional about how you should proceed. They will likely recommend a tapered regimen at first, and then you’ll go through a period of holistic drug detox, which will help your body rid itself of any toxins that can still cause withdrawal. 


Methadone Addiction Behaviors and Methadone Addiction Symptoms 

If you’re not sure whether or not you’re addicted to Methadone, you can look for a few signs that will indicate that you may have a problem. People who are addicted to this type of Opiate may experienced a reduced heart rate and problems with their breathing. They may also feel weakness in the muscles and periodically, they can even have difficulty remembering things. 

As far as Methadone addiction behaviors go, if you constantly think about when you’re going to get to use again, or if you’ve purchased Methadone illegally, forged prescriptions or gotten it from different doctors, these are all indicators that you’re addicted. 


What to do if You’re Addicted to Methadone 

If you’re addicted to Methadone, please do not try to quit using the drug on your own. Methadone addiction treatment programs are the best way to go about quitting your use of this powerful drug. Everyone’s situation is different, and a professional will be able to listen to your story and prescribe the right course of action. 

Medical detox is typically recommended for anyone who is addicted to methadone. This form of treatment helps people manage their withdrawal symptoms and get relief from them.

Medication-assisted treatment is usually the best course of action. There are several medications that have been FDA approved for the purpose of treating opioid addictions. These drugs work well as opioid replacement therapy, which can help people get off methadone. Vivitrol is another option and it is not opioid based.

Detoxing off methadone can take between 7 and 10 days, or longer, depending on the individual. Afterwards, the patient should transition into drug rehab.

Drug rehabilitation is critical because it is so important to understand the reasons behind the addiction. Once they are understood, alternative treatments can be offered, which reduces the chance that the person will relapse.

Our Inpatient Treatment Center in Idaho

At Northpoint Recovery, we have worked with many people who struggled with methadone addictions. Our inpatient treatment program is designed to provide them with the support they need to reach their goals of getting clean.

One of the best parts about our facility is the fact that our patients can access both detox and rehab services. This is helpful because there is no interruption in the care they receive as they recover.

Our detox program typically runs for 7-10 days, but this can be adjusted based on the patient’s needs. We want our patients to feel better because their withdrawal symptoms have been drastically reduced. That is the only way they will be ready to move on to the next phase of treatment.

During drug rehab, we provide treatment for co-occurring disorders, if any are present. Our patients undergo many different types of therapy, both in group and individual settings.

We are located in Boise, Idaho and our program is a total of 28 days. Our patient population is very small because that gives us more time to work with our patients individually.


Get More Information About Methadone Addiction, Abuse, Detox and Rehab in Idaho

At Northpoint Recovery, we understand how powerful methadone addiction truly is. In fact, many of our staff members are recovering addicts themselves. They have tremendous insight into how difficult it is to recover. But they are also a testament that proves it is possible with the right support.

It can be scary to consider stopping the use of methadone. It may be something you have relied on for many years to get you through each day. But we can assure you that there are better ways for you to cope without having to rely on an addictive drug.

Do you have questions about methadone addiction and abuse? Would you like to talk with someone about going to detox and rehab in Idaho? Please contact us today.

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