In the United States, about 44 people die everyday from overdoses of opiate. These drugs are ones such as Vicodin, Percocet, Codeine, and Morphine. This contributes to the brain’s function of recognizing pain. Beginning in the 1970s, Methadone for opiate addiction has been introduced to help with addiction treatments.
How does it work?
According to UCLA Dual Diagnosis program, methadone is a better choice for patients who have severe addictions to opiates. It keeps the patients from becoming high on other opiates, such as prescription painkillers or heroin.
Is a medication
Try thinking of methadone as a different kind of medication. It is a synthetic opioid analgesic which is long-acting. Many people can use this for pain relief, but many more use it for the treatment of addiction to opiates that are stronger. It becomes a defence against the chemicals that opiates, and heroin can release. Methadone works by filling up the receptor sites in the brain that usually would be affected by heroin and other opiates.
Blocks euphoric effects
Methodone blocks the euphoric and sedating effects of opiates, but since it is also an opioid, it also helps to relieve any symptoms of cravings.
Safe to use
You are also probably wondering if methadone is safe to use to detox off opiates. Methadone can be very safe to use, but only under the supervision of a physician and an addiction counsellor. It is important to remember that methadone is a medication, but it also does have side effects. So, take methadone only under a physician’s orders and rarely will you experience negative side effects.
Read more
Prior to deciding if methadone treatment is what you need and is right for you or your loved one take the time to learn more about the history of methadone and how it works for other people.
To learn more click on this link.