Common Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms And How They Can Be Overcome

Methadone is an opioid that is widely available throughout the country. It's commonly prescribed as a pain reliever and for individuals who are going through drug rehab programs. It helps to reduce the withdrawal symptoms many people feel from being addicted to heroin or other dangerous narcotics. Unfortunately, when this is taken improperly it's highly addictive and can be extremely difficult to quit. This is why doctors have to keep such a close eye on their patients when they are taking it.

Quitting is extremely difficult because of all the withdrawal symptoms that are experienced for the user. These can range from mild to severe based on how much someone was taking before they quit. A lot of people end up relapsing during their withdrawal due to the feelings they experience. Unfortunately this can result in overdosing, which causes a large number of deaths each year.

Physical Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms:

• Nausea
• Body aches
• Irritability
• Tremors
• Sneezing
• Yawning
• Fever
• Excessive perspiration
• Runny nose
• Eye tearing
• Abdominal cramps

These are some of the most common withdrawal symptoms that people experience, but there are others that can arise. Some are extremely severe while others are milder, which is a huge reason why overcoming this addiction can be so hard. The withdrawal of methadone can actually be up to two times as severe as it would be with either heroin or morphine, making it one of the most difficult withdrawals to go through. Most detoxifications take around two years in order to be complete because the doses have to be continued to make the withdrawal symptoms less severe.

Mental Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms:

• Delirium
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Delusions
• Suicidal thoughts
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Spontaneous orgasm
• Panic disorder

The cognitive withdrawal symptoms can cause individuals to feel like they are going crazy. Not only do many people commit suicide during this time, they also lose control of most aspects of their lives. Many experience job loss, loss of relationships and even being homeless. During the process of withdrawal therapy, each person will have to take a constant dose on a daily basis. This will be a low dose that will keep away the severe withdrawal symptoms and allow the body to function as normally as it can.

After a couple of years, this constant dosage can be lowered so that withdrawal is very minimal. Individuals who do not go through this type of therapy will find that withdrawal is almost impossible. It is a long road to get to being free of methadone, but it can be done with hard work and the proper treatment.

Physicians have to keep a close eye on their patients as they go through withdrawal therapy. If patients are not closely monitored they could end up hurting themselves, other people or suffering from a number of health issues. Dropping methadone without taking small daily doses is a recipe for disaster. Individuals who do this tend to continue taking methadone in high doses and not being able to quit at all.

Overdoses are extremely common when individuals who are addicted to methadone relapse. This is because they don't realize what their limits are due to having a high tolerance. Dependence on this drug can greatly affect the way someone lives and damage their internal organs over time. This can also damage brain cells, which can result in a number of mental problems that require medications in order to treat.

Seeking Treatment for Withdrawal Symptoms

Individuals who want to get treatment for their addiction can easily go to a rehab center. There are a lot of these located throughout the country that have doctors in them who specialize in drug treatment. They can administer the proper doses of methadone to ensure withdrawal symptoms are treated and they are less bothersome.

Each person who goes through rehab will have a different treatment program for their addiction. The dosage of methadone one person gets may differ from another based on what they were addicted to and how much they were taking. The first stages of treatment will still mean going through withdrawal, but they won't be nearly as difficult when the proper dosage is provided. Doctors will also make sure their patients are getting the proper vitamins and nutrients throughout the treatment journey.