If you were once a heroin addict then you may have been on a Methadone programme of some sort.

Often Methadone is praised as a safer substitute for heroin but Methadone users can often become addicted to Methadone instead. In the United Kingdom, Methadone has been prescribed as a heroin substitute since the 1970s.

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one – you must be aware that the side effects of Methadone addiction can be dangerous and we would always suggest seeking help. At Ocean Recovery, we are one of the UK’s leading substance abuse centres dealing with prescription drug addictions.

The Debate Around Methadone

There are many reasons for prescribing Methadone, however, justifications fail to recognise the health implications of methadone addiction.

In fact, Methadone is more addictive than heroin. And because Methadone does not give users the same ‘high’ like heroin, Methadone users often substitute its use with other drugs such as Xanax and alcohol.

Combining Methadone with other drugs is often as dangerous as injecting heroin. And because Methadone engages the brain’s opiate receptors for a longer period than heroin the detoxification process typically takes more time to complete.

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Our Methadone Rehab Programme

Ocean Recovery’s rehabilitation programmes combine a healthy balance between detoxification and counselling. The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the severity of the user’s addiction to Methadone.

Whether the person started misusing methadone recreationally or began using the medication as part of an opioid addiction treatment regime, treatment for methadone addiction requires both medical detox and comprehensive therapy. Since methadone is an opioid, medical detox is always required to withdraw from the substance

Methadone rehab is a form of detox. During the detoxification process clients are offered tapered withdrawal where the quantity of Methadone is gradually cut back until stabilisation is achieved.

Decreases in Methadone consumption may be as little as 10% every 10 days for chronic long term users. Tapered decreases in Methadone consumption avoids intense discomfort due to withdrawal symptoms. ‘Cold turkey’ based withdrawal will also be offered.

Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms

The detoxification process of the prescription drug is quite strong and this is why we would always suggest going through this in a medically supervised environment – ultimately, Methadone withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Powerful cravings for the drug
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Severe depression
  • Delirium
  • Hallucinations
  • Paranoia
  • Fatigue
  • Tremors
  • Vomiting
  • High blood pressure
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Shakes

Methadone Detox

The first step a patient takes at a methadone treatment centre is detoxification. This occurs when the patient ceases or reduces the dosage of methadone in order to stop using the substance. Withdrawal symptoms may include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Diarrhoea
  • Insomnia
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Body pain and aches

These withdrawal symptoms typically last from four to six weeks, depending on the duration and level of methadone use disorder.

Post Detoxification

Once a client has been through a methadone detox and stabilisation is achieved, clients enter the therapy and counselling phase of rehabilitation. During this period clients learn powerful coping strategies to prevent relapse once clients leave our centre.

Once rehabilitation is complete a relapse prevention plan is drawn up. A process is put in place should relapse occur following the completion of the clients’ rehabilitation programme. We also encourage clients to engage a Narcotics Anonymous group in their local area upon leaving our centre.

Contact Us About Our Methadone Rehab Centre Today!

Whether it’s you or a loved one who is suffering from methadone abuse, you can be sure that we are part of the UK’s leading group of private rehab centres.

The fact you are on this page suggests you are seeking addiction treatment – call our helpline today for medical advice and more information on our treatment plans before your addiction causes health problems or affects your mental health.

 

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methadone

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: March 17, 2022

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.

Dr Alexander Lapa - Clinical Reviewer at Ocean Recovery

Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist) - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed:

MBBS, PG Dip Clin Ed, OA Dip CBT, OA Dip Psychology, SCOPE Certified

Dr Lapa graduated in Medicine in 2000 and since this time has accrued much experience working in the widest range of psychiatric settings with differing illness presentations and backgrounds in inpatient, community and secure settings. This has been aligned to continuation of professional development at postgraduate level in clinical research which has been very closely related to the everyday clinical practice conducted by this practitioner as a NHS and Private Psychiatrist.
He is fully indemnified by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) and MIAB Expert Insurance for Psychiatric and Private Medical practice. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK with a licence to practice.

Dr Lapa is approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (1983)

Member of Independent Doctors Federation (IDF), British Association for Psychopharmacology (BMA) and The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)

Dr Lapa’s extensive experience has also concentrated on the following areas of clinical practice:
– Assessment, Diagnosis and Pharmacological Treatment for Adults with ADHD.
– Drug and Alcohol Dependency and maintaining abstinence and continued recovery
– Intravenous and Intramuscular Vitamin and Mineral Infusion Therapy
– Dietary and Weight Management and thorough care from assessment to treatment to end goals and maintenance
– Aesthetic Practice and Procedures