Methadone Clinic Ontario
Methadone Treatment
Methadone known as a highly effective and powerful drug, methadone is a narcotic that fits the
same category as heroin. This particular category is termed as opioids. Methadone has been studied
and considered to be safe for treating opiod addiction when used correctly.
How Methadone Works
When methadone is used, it is believed to prevent morphine or narcotics like heroin from getting
to interact on receptors for painkillers that are basically natural and termed as endorphins. By
ensuring that the effects caused by drugs that have an addictive nature are blocked, methadone
reduces the physical craving that is normally triggered.
It is pertinent to note that the use of methadone itself is capable of creating its own effects
such as a drowsy kind of feeling or a feeling of light euphoria that may last up to a day or two
but none of this is likely to cause any kind of depression that a majority of the opiates are known
to do.
Having established its credentials as a highly effective therapeutic medicine that can
definitely serve to rehabilitate addicts of narcotic drugs, this drug is widely used across Canada,
U.S., Sweden, Thailand and even Hong Kong. Due to it being extremely useful to help an addict
pierce the veil of destructive life threatening habits, a majority of the drug maintenance programs
make use of methadone in its oral form.
Dosage of Methadone
Initiation phase of methadone treatment for opiod addiction is between 10-30 mg per day. This
amount is determined by the physician upon initial visit. The usual therapeutic dose during
methadone maintenance therapy is between 60-90 mg per day.
Caution While Using Methadone
1. When you follow the instructions that are laid out by the health care professional, remember
not to suddenly stop using methadone because your body might suffer the shock badly. It is
important to keep reminding yourself that your body has become accustomed to methadone use so a
gradual transition would be better than a sudden stop.
2. When you use methadone, it is natural to feel drowsy so it would be best not to drive
or engage in any kind of activity that mandates alertness of the mind. You have to be careful when
you use methadone so avoid standing or sitting up too fast because you may feel of dizzy or even
faint.
3. Whether you drink or not, it is best to avoid any alcohol drinks when you use
methadone because that would worsen the drowsiness, confused feelings and breathing as well. So the
bottom line is to just say no to alcohol when you are using methadone.
4. It is best to steer clear from other drugs or medicines as these may be likely to tire
you or even increase the feelings of drowsiness, and so on.
5. An effect that is naturally a result of using methadone is the problem of
constipation, which is extremely uncomfortable and unhealthy for the body. To counter the problem
of constipation, it is best to opt for a laxative or a stool softener so that bowel movements
become easier to handle. If bowel movements still do not take place for more than three days, it is
best to revert to your doctor for help.
Methadone Side Effects
Every drug brings with it a small, unwanted side effects that cannot be avoided. This is the
same with the use of methadone as well but here are some side effects that you should not hesitate
to inform your doctor about:
Difficulty in breathing
Skin turning cold or clammy
Feeling of confusion or faintness
Feeling restless or nervous
Difficulty in passing urine
The following are side effects that don’t need to be immediately addressed to the doctor unless
it becomes painful or too troublesome to deal with:
Blurred vision
Clumsiness in movements
Problem of constipation
Feeling of dizziness or fainting spell
Extremely dry mouth
Flushing and headaches
Nausea or vomiting
Methadone Addiction
During the latter half of the 1990s the problem of methadone addiction emerged as a serious
issue. There were cases of methadone overdoses as well that made a dramatic impact in awareness of
methadone addiction and abuse. It indicated a trend among drug addicts to switch their loyalties to
methadone in the absence of other drugs that were normally used.
As a result, governement approval was given to use as a substitute for methadone in treating
drug addicts. The name of the substitute is Buprenorphine (SubOxone), which is a drug belonging to
the narcotic category and is effective in curbing emergence of withdrawal symptoms in addicts who
are dependent on the drug.
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