Methadone – Getting Detoxed

With the opiate epidemic that’s breaking out right now across the globe, esp the US, authorities have had no choice but to turn to methadone as a maintenance method to help opiate addicts desperate to get clean.

Recent changes in the law in some states like Oregon made certain prescription opiates illegal, or at the very least, very difficult to obtain. Hence their prices on street value have risen dramatically, making them unaffordable for most addicts.

An unfortunate side effect of this is that most addicts then turn to the next cheapest substance in order to avoid opiate withdrawal – heroin.

As a result, for those who genuinely want to get clean, detox, and get into recovery, they are inevitably prescribed methadone as one of the only approved ways of dealing with opiate addictions.

Methadone can itself be addictive, and most addicts develop tolerance quickly. When the prescribed level rises so much that medical professionals are unwilling to increase it further, addicts can be left in a place of withdrawal, even though their prescribed levels are already very high.

Detoxing from methadone successfully is difficult, and not many centres offer options for detoxing from higher levels of methadone.

Once detoxed of course, risks become higher of unintentional overdose, should the individual re-use again once clean.

Generally, if considering methadone treatment, it’s advisable to get a professional medical detox that’s overseen by appropriate physicians, to ensure safety and comfort during the process.

It’s important to have supports set up ahead of time, before detoxing from methadone, that will help you maintain abstinence from substance use for the ongoing future.