Methadone is an opioid narcotic, one that is used to treat moderate and severe pain and is also used for the treatment of severe opioid abuse disorders. This particular medication has been around for decades and is most known for being utilized as a part of Medication Assisted Treatment programs. Methadone works by altering the way that the central nervous system responds to pain, and by blocking the euphoric effects associated with opiate drug use.
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How Does Methadone Actually Work?
If an individual is prescribed this medication for the treatment of an opiate abuse disorder he or she is generally administered the medication in a controlled setting, and administration is carefully overseen by a medical professional. This is because methadone does have a high potential for abuse, and it can be addictive when used other than as prescribed by a medical professional.
Methadone is less frequently used than it previously was because of this – now, most medically monitored detox centers and inpatient treatment centers utilize Suboxone, in which buprenorphine is the active ingredient. Buprenorphine is safer for opiate users to take, seeing as it is less addictive and it is more difficult to achieve a high when using this substance.
Can You Get High on Methadone?
Methadone has been known to produce a “high” when taken in extremely high doses. While the euphoric effects it produces are still limited this medication can lead to fleeting feelings of pleasure and relaxation while reducing reaction time and limiting attention span. The high that individual experiences on methadone will be quite different than a high produced by heroin or a prescription painkiller like hydrocodone or oxycodone.
If an individual has taken an excessive amount of methadone, he or she may feel drowsy and fatigued, experience a dry mouth and dehydration, process information more slowly, experience lowered body temperature and blood pressure, and exhibit some additional physical symptoms like drooping eyelids and slurred speech. The doses that are required to produce any kind of high are extremely dangerous. To feel a methadone high, some people might inject the drug intravenously or attempt to snort it.
Signs and Symptoms of Methadone Addiction
If you believe that you are someone that you love has been struggling with a methadone addiction, there are some warning signs to keep an eye out for. These include:
- Physical symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and chronic constipation
- Confusion and a lack of coordination
- Excessive drowsiness and fatigue
- Slowed breathing, which can lead to respiratory depression
- Using more of the medication than intended for a longer period than intended
- Attempting to obtain more than one methadone prescription at a time
- Using methadone in conjunction with other chemical substances
- Using methadone intravenously or nasally
Methadone Abuse Treatment At Garden State Treatment Center
Garden State Treatment Center provides residents of New Jersey and all surrounding areas with the comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment necessary to overcome substance abuse long-term. We believe in providing our clients with a multi-phased curriculum of clinical care, modifying each treatment program to fit the unique needs and requirements of each client. We offer partial care, intensive outpatient treatment, and outpatient treatment, focusing on co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis treatment. If you or someone you love has been actively abusing methadone for any period, we are available to help.
Methadone addiction can be quite insidious and difficult to catch, seeing as in most cases, the medication is initially prescribed by a medical professional. If you would like more information on methadone addiction or if you would like to begin your journey of healing, reach out to us today. We will gladly answer any additional questions you may have and help you set up a date and a time for intake.