Defining Methadone

According to one medical definition, methadone is described as a synthetic opioid that is used medically as an analgesic, antitussive and as a maintenance anti-addictive for use in patients on opioids. Developed in Germany in 1937, methadone is most commonly used to manage chronic pain, and it is also used in the treatment of opioid dependence as well as in patients who are terminally ill. For instance, you'll often hear of heroin addicts using methadone to mitigate the symptoms of heroin withdrawal.

Due to its slow metabolism and extremely high fat solubility, methadone lasts significantly longer than other morphine-based drugs. While methadone is used in many drug and alcohol treatment centers, it is not intended to reduce the use of non-narcotic drugs such as cocaine, alcohol or methamphetamine. Methadone is approved for use in various countries (the United States being one of them), and is credited for being relatively inexpensive when compared to other equivalent analgesics such as meperidine, hydromorphone, morphine, and oxycodone to name a few.

If you have completed a cocaine addiction treatment program and have relapsed or are afraid that you may give in to cocaine again, please call us right away. There is hope for you at the Mark Houston Recovery Center. Give us a call at 866.877.6080 today.

Methadone Addiction and The Dangers

Just as with any other drug or alcohol addiction, methadone addiction comes with its own host of problems. Some of the street names that methadone goes by include:

• Amidone
• Wafer
• Fizzies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies (methadone or heroine combined with MDMA)

According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, methadone was involved in 10,725 emergency department visits in 2001- an increase when compared to the previous year. Additionally, methadone has a wide range of side effects some of which include:

• euphoria
• dry mouth
• confusion
• depression
• urinary retention
• hives
• kidney failure
• convulsions, etc.

Perhaps the most alarming news is the fact that methadone addiction is becoming increasingly popular among individuals who already have other types of drug addictions. Signs that someone may be addicted to methadone include:

• selling prescribed methadone in order to purchase heroin
• using methadone while using another drug
• taking more than the recommended dosage
• lying to a medical official so that a higher dosage can be prescribed

If you know of someone who is a recovering methadone addict, has already gone to a drug treatment center but is in need of methadone drug rehab so that he doesn't relapse back into his methadone addiction, then contact Mark Houston Recovery today at 866.877.6080.

Methadone and Drug Rehab

While a facility such as Mark Houston Recovery does not provide traditional drug and alcohol treatment, we have residents who have gone through drug treatment for methadone addiction and are trying to build their lives back up so that they can experience permanent sobriety. At the onset, methadone is a good thing. After all, it is used to help heroin addicts (as well as other types of drug addicts) wean themselves off of being dependent on heroin. However just as with many other things that you consume regularly, it is not uncommon to find those seeking help for one particular type of drug addiction to then switch to becoming addicted to methadone. For example, many heroin addicts go from heroin addiction to methadone addiction quite seamlessly. Many take methadone for extended periods of time (up to several years) for fear that if they do not that they will relapse back into heroin addiction (See Our 12 Month Guarantee http://www.markhoustonrecovery.com/guarantee.php) . In the meantime, they've already developed a new drug addiction! Thus, they will need to enter Methadone Rehab. Contact Mark Houston Recovery today at 866.877.6080.

At Mark Houston Recovery, our staff members have first hand experience dealing with drug addiction. We are also aware that those who come to see us after they have relapsed or after drug treatment has failed, are coming to us with their own unique set of problems and other issues. This is why we offer our residents flexibility by providing three different options for drug recovery: a 30-day program, 60-day program and 90-day program. During this time, we work with residents to develop the essential life skills that they will need in order to live a sober existence.