Methadone Drug Rehab

Methadone Bottle

Methadone is an opiate, and therefore when taken in sufficient quantities, eliminates the pains of withdrawal from a drug cessation program; but unlike most opiates, Methadone in the doses given for maintenance does not cause euphoria or much sedation.

Essentially, Methadone maintenance therapy allows recovering opiate addicts to function without the pains of withdrawal or a craving for the drug of abuse, and since they are not "high" while using Methadone, they are able to participate meaningfully in society, and are far less likely to return to abuse, crime and other risky behaviors.

Methadone therapy generally takes place in Methadone administration clinics, and recovering addicts are given a dose of Methadone under supervision that effectively stops the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms for 24-36 hours. Because Methadone can be abused, and does have a street value, patients are generally not allowed to take Methadone out of the clinic, although some recovering addicts can earn the right of a few take home doses after a number of negative drug urine tests over a period of months.

Methadone drug rehab is a long term treatment program, and the maintenance phase of Methadone drug treatment lasts for a minimum of 6 months, and for some addicts, can continue indefinitely. When addicts are deemed ready, they are encouraged to begin to reduce their dosage very slowly, and after a period of months of diminishing doses, they eventually become opiate free.

Pro's of Methadone drug rehab

Because there is no initial very painful period of detox, it is far easier to convince addicts to enter a Methadone drug rehab program than a conventional drug rehab that does require a painful detox.

Methadone when used as directed in Methadone clinics is neither intoxicating nor sedating, and does not damage any of the body's systems, organs or the mind, and Methadone usage does not impair cognitive or memory functioning in any way. Essentially, Methadone when used as directed is harmless.

When addicts switch to non intoxicating and safe Methadone, they are at a greatly decreased risk to participate in crime or in risky sexual or IV drug behaviors, and the overall health of Methadone maintenance patients generally improves after admission to a Methadone drug rehab.

Long term Methadone maintenance allows recovering opiate addicts to function normally in society, without ever experiencing the pains of withdrawal.

Con's of Methadone maintenance

One of the biggest problems with Methadone drug rehab is that you are not eliminating an addiction; you are simply trading one addiction for another. Thus much time and energy in daily life remains centered around getting and taking the needed dose of medication.

Methadone is very effective and produces a strong physical dependence. Although it does not intoxicate, many addictions professionals consider the eventual detox and withdrawal from Methadone far more difficult and lengthy than a detox from heroin or other prescription opiates. There is questionable benefit to simply delaying the inevitable detoxification, and possibly making this detox more uncomfortable through the use of Methadone.

Methadone can be fatal. Methadone, although it does not damage the body when used as directed, when taken in larger than recommended doses, or when taken with alcohol or other sedative medications, can be lethal. In 2005 more than 4000 people in America died from accidental Methadone overdoses.

Although Methadone drug rehab programs will often recommend concurrent drug therapies, there is far less emphasis on therapy, education and peer groups than in a conventional rehab. The basal causes that lead to abuse can remain undiagnosed, and although Methadone may reduce opiate dependence, a substantial percentage of Methadone patients may abuse other drugs such as cocaine or alcohol while still using Methadone. A recent study in San Francisco Methadone drug rehab clinics, in which researchers performed drug tests every 2 days (which is far removed from as little as 4 per year in most programs) revealed 77% higher statistics of concurrent cocaine use than as discovered by the clinics themselves. Methadone clinics may not be achieving the sobriety rates that they are advertising.

Conventional drug rehab for opiates may either be performed on an outpatient basis, or in an inpatient residential setting. This initial and necessary detox off of the drug, although very uncomfortable, is medically supervised to diminish the pains of withdrawal, and appropriate medications are administered for symptoms relief. This detox is always best performed in a medical or rehab facility, away from the temptations to use and access to drugs.

Conventional drug rehab does not end with detox, and recovery begins once the metabolites of the drug are removed from the body. Drug rehab combines cognitive behavioral therapy, peer group therapy, drug and life skills education and private counseling to teach the addict what they need to learn to stay drug free once finished with treatment.

Aftercare continues after the completion of treatment, and recovering addicts are encouraged to retain participation in peer group therapy sessions, and with one on one counseling with a psychologist or addictions professional.

Pro's of conventional drug rehab

There are two essential advantages to drug rehab as opposed to Methadone maintenance therapy.

Firstly, because the recovering addict is forced to detox, they have ended their physical addiction to the drug, and with it greatly reduced their compulsion to use. Although the detox period is very uncomfortable, it is medically managed, and once finished; so is physical addiction

Secondly, because the priority of a conventional drug rehab program is the education, counseling and peer therapies that teach the addict to live a life free from abuse, the addict has a much better chance of avoiding all types of future drug abuse once finished with the residential drug rehab program.

Con's of conventional drug rehab

The single largest barrier to treatment is the necessity of enduring the pains of detox in a conventional drug rehab facility. Methadone drug rehab, which does not require an initial detoxification off of the opiate, requires less motivation to change.

The cost and intensity of conventional drug rehab also greatly exceed that of Methadone maintenance therapy. The price of treatment is far higher, and the severity of the addiction generally requires that recovering addicts participate in an inpatient facility for a month or more; which is a month or more away from employment and family. Methadone maintenance therapy is far less disruptive at first, but the commitment to Methadone therapy continues for years, and may continue for ever.

Heroin and pain pill addicts suffer high recidivism rates even after the participation in a drug rehab program. Drug abuse recovery is a process to health, and it may require more than one stay in a treatment facility to enable lasting change and sobriety. Methadone rehab boasts better success statistics, but as the recent San Francisco study indicates, these statistics may be inflated from the reality of poly drug abuse.

Although both Methadone and Conventional rehab programs have their strengths and weaknesses, any program that allows an opiate addict to escape from the constant cravings and devastation of addiction is far better than nothing.

For addicts with the means, the determination and the time to enter a drug rehab program and really free themselves from addiction, a residential rehab facility may be the better choice.

For addicts unable or unwilling to suffer the pains of opiate detox, and who may lack the money or time needed for a stay at a treatment facility, the Methadone maintenance therapy may be more appropriate.