Harmony Recovery Center

Treatment for abuse or addiction to drugs or alcohol often begins with detox, which is the process of allowing the body to eliminate toxins while managing the symptoms of withdrawal.

Methadone is a synthetic opioid commonly used as a replacement for other, more powerful opioids, such as heroin. As such, it can reduce cravings for a person’s drug of choice as well as withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is strictly regulated and can only be prescribed by addiction treatment centers and medical providers who have been certified to do so. Despite its potentially effective therapeutic uses, methadone still has the potential for abuse. Furthermore, dependence is almost a foregone conclusion, considering that the reason it is being administered is to treat opioid addiction. When this occurs, a methadone detox in a clinical environment may be needed. Like all drug and alcohol detox programs, the primary goals are to relieve withdrawal symptoms, continuously monitor the individual to ensure safety and comfort, and prevent relapse. Specialized detox clinics and substance abuse treatment centers also offer emotional support and a segue way into a comprehensive, long-term treatment program. Given the state of the opioid epidemic in the United States, it’s not surprising that in recent years, methadone has increasingly become abused and available as a product of drug diversion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016, methadone was one of the top three prescription opioids involved in overdose deaths.  One reason for this is because people who are prescribed methadone tend to have a high risk of relapse already. Furthermore, methadone can reduce a person’s opioid tolerance, meaning that relapse also comes with a higher risk of experiencing a life-threatening overdose.