Side Effects, Withdrawal Symptoms & Treatment Associated With Methadone!

Methadone can be called a lifesaving drug used to treat severe pain and get rid of addiction to opioid drugs. It’s often a very helpful treatment for those who struggle to detox from heroin or narcotic painkillers. As methadone is itself an opioid, quite possibly people may get addicted to methadone too when on its use as a treatment of opioid addiction.

When people stop using methadone after taking it for a while, they may experience some withdrawal symptoms, which can be quite a painful experience. In order to lessen the withdrawal symptoms, people need to discuss the risks and benefits associated with methadone use with their doctor. The doctor is the trusted professional who can exactly guide you whether discontinuation or long-term therapy is right for you.

While methadone is a prescription drug, it is not much different from other opioid, forcing a quicker release of it can have harmful side effects. Moreover, injecting it to the veins has high risk of infection or contracting a host of contagious ailments such as HIV.

Let’s describe in detail the feasible side effects that a person may experience when on methadone use….

The Physical Side Effects Of Methadone?

1.         Constipation
2.          Fatigue
3.          Feeling weak
4.          Disruption of menstrual periods
5.          Increased sweating
6.         Lights appearing too bright
7.          Nausea
8.          Itchy feeling of the skin
9.          Vision changes - blurred, loss, seeing double, tunnel vision, difficulty identifying color
10.          Pupil contraction (“pinpoint” pupil)
11.          Seeing “halos” around lights
12.          Restlessness
13.          Sense of well-being (euphoria)
14.          Vomiting
15.          Weight changes
16.          Trouble with sexual ability, drive, arousal or performance
17.          In extreme cases, death

These are just a few of the common Mental Side Effects of Methadone that a person may notice depending on the amount he/she takes, his/her degree of abuse and some other significant points. The severity of these side effects can range from moderate to severe. The method of administration or changing amount of dosage can enhance the extent of some side effects.

The Psychological Sides Effects Of Methadone?

While methadone is also a kind of opioid, it does not create the same euphoric rush as other opioids do. However, it can still have negative psychological effects. Again, mental and emotional side effects of this life saving drug range from moderate to severe and vary from person to person. These include:

1.          Delusions
2.          Depression
3.          Anxiety
4.          Confusion
5.          Irritability
6.          Paranoia
7.          Hallucinations
8.         Insomnia
9.          Suicidal thoughts

Side Effects Associated With The Long Term Use Of Methadone

The above mentioned list of physical and psychological side effects is associated with the short term sue of methadone, the long term effects of this drug significantly vary. Long term use of methadone can lead to addiction. This addiction can lead to shake the social, personal and professional life of the users.

In addition to the long term effects, addiction can result in a tolerance and when the persons develop tolerance, they no longer feel the effects of a substance. In order to get the same effects from methadone use, its dosage is increased and results in physical dependence. In this stage of addiction and dependence if a person stops taking it, withdrawal symptoms can occur, which can be quite harsh and can compel a quitter to restart its use.

Solution To The Methadone Addiction & Its Abuse -

Therefore, before your loved ones undergo withdrawal symptoms and restart its use, help them get into the right treatment. Treatment provides the optimal chance for recovery success and getting in touch with a reputable rehab justifycan help you get there.