Methadone is used to help opiate addicts get off of the drugs they are taking, but many methadone users end up staying on methadone for long periods of time and have trouble coming off of it. Methadone can cause severe physical addiction and will cause users to experience different physical and mental problems. A methadone detox center will help a client through the withdrawal process, and will help them through the withdrawal symptoms using different methods to alleviate the pain and discomfort. Methadone detox will help a person get off of the drug, but it is important that the patient admits themselves into some form of drug and alcohol rehab program where they can handle the remaining issues of their addiction. Most methadone users do remain off of other drugs, but some do end up mixing other drugs with methadone, and that can be very dangerous as some combinations can be dangerous.
Methadone: Information, Statistics, & Solutions
TIPS: If you feel you're going to use
- Call your sponsor or a friend who doesn't use it and understands your situation.
- Extrovert your attention. Walking and spending time outside can be very therapeutic.
- Find a hobby or activity to take your mind off of using. (i.e., art, music, cooking, gardening)
- Find a purpose in your life and pursue it. (i.e., school, career, volunteering)
- Recognize the people in your environment who affect you emotionally. They could be one of the reasons for your emotional problems.
- Make sure to eat healthy foods. A deficiency in vitamins and minerals can create a drop in mental and physical energy.
TIPS: If you want to help someone
- Don't enable the addict. This includes not giving him any money, not paying their rent, etc.
- Encourage the person to seek help. This can be done by finding a treatment or a form of support.
- Be aware of signs of overdose. If you see one of your friends blacking out, or showing other severe side effects, get help immediately.
- Support the person while they look for rehab since the process can be overwhelming.
- Don't wait for rock bottom; it may be too late.
Methadone Dependence and Opiate Addiction in Rhode Island
Methadone is a synthetic opioid used to treat opiate addiction and or to manage moderate pain. The drug attaches itself to the same opioid receptors in the body as other pain medications. Methadone works on the pain receptors in the body and reduces how much pain is felt, or it replaces another opioid drug the person is addicted to. Some of the common side effects of methadone include constipation, nausea, headaches, and vomiting. Some of the more severe side effects include respiratory failure, leading to an overdose, and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, methadone contributed to nearly one in three prescription pain medication deaths in 2009. Also, about 5,000 people die every year of overdoses related to methadone.
Additionally, six times as many people died of methadone overdoses in 2009 than a decade before. Stopping methadone abruptly leads to severe withdrawal symptoms. The sustained and or long-term use of methadone does cause physical dependence and tolerance. Rhode Island methadone detoxification programs are practical solutions to help addicts manage the withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, increased blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches and pain. According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, between 2015 and 2018, there were 569 opioid-involved deaths in the state. One-quarter of the victims who died from an opioid-related overdose worked within Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance.
Within those three industries, 14% of the deaths were prescription drugs only, 59% were illicit drugs, and 16% involved prescription and illegal drugs. Unfortunately, many opiate addicts choose to take methadone as a means of managing their addiction. Most methadone users often become dependent on the drugs and require medically supervised detox. Withdrawal management is essential and does mitigate withdrawal symptoms effectively. Medication-assisted treatment is also a good option in combination with behavioral counseling when helping someone safely detox off methadone.
What's Next?
After completing a methadone detox and/or rehab in Rhode Island, it is vital to arrange aftercare support. No one form of recovery support is the same for each person. Sober coaches, group meetings, outpatient programs, or sober living homes in Rhode Island all offer excellent recovery opportunities to consider. The goal is to maintain life-long sobriety.
