How to Beat Methadone Addiction Requires Medical Supervision

Addicts who use methadone to help rid themselves of an addiction to opiate drugs are often then faced with the problem of how to beat methadone addiction.

Methadone, a synthetic opiate developed in Germany in the early part of the 20th century, has been successfully administered to heroin addicts and those addicted to other strong opiates in order to minimize the addict's cravings for the original drug and suppress the many withdrawal symptoms experienced during the methadone detox process, including nausea, depression, fatigue and irritability.

Unfortunately, turning to methadone during heroin or opiate detox can cause the addict to become addicted to methadone itself. It is important that the methadone addict rely on a support system as well as medical supervision in order to overcome methadone addiction, which can be even more stressful than overcoming heroin addiction, causing some of the same side effects such as insomnia, cravings, vomiting and anxiety.

The addict must commit to a medically-supervised residential detox program or outpatient program in order to receive increasingly smaller doses of a drug called buprenorphine. Buprenorphine has been on the FDA's approved list for combating methadone addiction since 2002.

In place of methadone, buprenorphine is administered in increasingly smaller doses to the patient in order to minimize or eliminate the craving that has built up for methadone, in addition to helping decrease or eliminate such methadone withdrawal symptoms as fever, body aches, vomiting, insomnia and anxiety.

Close monitoring by a doctor during the withdrawal phase from methadone as well as psychological support throughout the process can usually help the patient beat methadone addiction without incurring many of the unfavorable withdrawal symptoms normally associated with methadone addiction.

Now if you think that you may have an addiction to this drug I would recommend that you seek help as soon as possible preferably today. This can be done in a rehab facility. If you do go to rehab you will be medically detoxed from methadone and this will be done by trained clinicians who will administer prescription medications to help ease the pain and discomfort associated with methadone withdrawal. This process can take up to 5 days; however, I strongly recommend that you follow this up with residential treatment. While in residential you will attend group, lectures, 12 step meetings and individual counseling. This will help you to learn how to stay clean when you leave rehab.

Good luck