Within the state of West Virginia drug and alcohol addicts have access to different drug rehabilitation programs and services where they can handle all aspects of their addiction and substance abuse problems. Included in these many drug addiction treatment services are methadone detox facilities set up to help methadone users successfully detox off of methadone. Methadone detox can be dangerous if it is not done in a controlled setting or the patient is not going through a wean down program set up by their doctor. The wean down program will bring the user to a point where they can stop taking methadone, but the withdrawal symptoms will prevent them from staying off of it and other drugs. Because of this reason it is important that the addict attends a methadone detox center or a medical detox facility. When this process is complete most methadone detox, centers will help their clients enter a drug rehab program where they can work on becoming completely drug and alcohol-free.
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 Withdrawal Management and Opioid Addiction in West Virginia
West Virginia methadone detox programs offer practical solutions to help methadone dependent drug users manage dangerous withdrawal symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control, methadone accounted for approximately one percent of all opioids prescribed in 2014. Also, in 2014 methadone accounted for about 23% of all prescription opioid-related deaths. Methadone is a synthetic opioid prescribed to treat pain but is typically used to treat heroin addiction. The drug acts on the same opioid receptors as morphine and heroin. Methadone is designed to stabilize patients and minimize withdrawal symptoms. Within the United States, methadone is federally designated Schedule II, which means it is used medically but has a high potential for addiction and abuse.
Methadone is a powerful opiate with addictive qualities. The sustained use of methadone does cause tolerance, dependence, and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Some of the side effects of methadone include sedation, euphoria, decreased reaction time, decreased body temperature, and respiratory depression. Large amounts of methadone increase the risk of overdose, which is significantly higher when other central nervous system depressants are used. Becoming dependent on methadone is dangerous and requires specific methods of detox, such as medical detox or even medication-assisted treatment. However, medication-assisted treatment should be done with behavioral counseling, and the end goal should be to become completely drug-free.
The problems connected to opioids have impacted every state in the nation in different ways. Per a report issued by the Office of the Governor, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources indicated a leveling off or slight decrease in the total number of overdose deaths. In 2018 there was a six percent decline in the number of overdose deaths when compared to 2017. In 2018, at the time of this report, the number of overdose deaths was estimated to reach 952. When compared to 2017, where the number of overdose deaths reached 1,017, this was a significant decline. Opiates contribute to countless overdose deaths every year. Unfortunately, many opiate addicts choose to take methadone as a method of treating his or her addiction. Yet, most of these methadone users require extensive detox to stop taking the drug.
What's Next?
After completing a methadone detox and/or rehab in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia all offer excellent recovery opportunities to consider. The goal is to maintain life-long sobriety.
