Treatment Options for Methadone Addiction

Methadone addiction is treated much in the same way that other opioid addiction syndromes are, with a few exceptions. If you are looking for safe, effective opioid abuse treatment, call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?) to find rehab centers that will cater to your needs.

Methadone Abuse, Addiction, and Treatment

The treatment of methadone addiction is very similar to other types of opioid rehab programs, specifically because the drug is an opioid agonist and it causes the same effects that other opioids do.

Therefore, the options utilized in this type of program “are drawn from research on the treatment of heroin addiction and include medications (e.g., naltrexone, methadone, and buprenorphine) as well as behavioral counseling approaches” (National Institute on Drug Abuse).

However, addiction to methadone in particular can often imply that an individual was being treated for opioid abuse with the drug and then began to misuse it. If this is the case, some changes may need to be made to the person’s treatment regimen in order for them to safely recover.

Medications for Methadone Abuse Treatment

Methadone itself is still often used as a treatment in this case, usually as a long-term maintenance program where the individual receives doses of the drug once a day. This is partially because the drug is the best possible option for individuals who have severe dependencies on opioids, as it is stronger in its effects than buprenorphine and easier to tolerate than naltrexone.

Group therapy helps patients avoid relapse.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, optimal-dose methadone is often the “treatment of choice for patients with high levels of physical dependency,” which is also very common among individuals who become addicted to the drug.

Many people are concerned that this kind of maintenance on the very drug the individual was abusing is a form of medically sanctioned addiction.

But when methadone is taken as prescribed and the individual is monitored for their safe, consistent use where the drug is concerned, none of the normal consequences associated with methadone addiction will be present and the individual will be able to live their life without experiencing euphoria, drowsiness, or any of the other problematic side effects of opioid abuse.

Behavioral Therapy for Methadone Abuse Treatment

Behavioral therapies are a very important part of treatment, as they will help the individual to see their abuse in a different way. These programs also teach more beneficial life skills and coping mechanisms so the patient can avoid the possibility of relapse and build a stronger recovery. Some of the most commonly used behavioral treatments in methadone rehab include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Contingency management
• Group therapy
• Family behavioral therapy
• Community reinforcement approach

Seek Addiction Treatment Now

Do you need methadone addiction treatment? Call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?) now to find the most reliable rehab options available to you and to learn which programs will be best for your needs. We can also answer any questions you have about addiction and rehab. Start your journey toward a well-rounded recovery today by calling for help now.

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