Pain-Free Withdrawal

Many people who are addicted to opiate drugs such as OxyContin or heroin try to give them up on their own, without medical supervision. This is dangerous, and some addicts have died by stopping their drug use too suddenly.

Those who have survived describe the experience as the worst case of flu they have ever had, along with the added misery of craving the drug they are trying to kick. Within hours, they experience chills and goose bumps, trembling arms and legs, muscle aches, diarrhea, runny nose, restless sleep, vomiting, and fever. These symptoms often last for about a week.

Some drug abusers experience terrible delirium and hallucinations during withdrawal – for example, they may think that the folds in the blankets. Many also feel deeply depressed, and believe they are being persecuted.

If they manage to get through physical withdrawal, the majority may experience severe cravings for their drugs for years. This is one of the reasons why opiate addicts have the highest relapse rate of all – even higher than those who are addicted to alcohol or methamphetamine.

Making things easier with methadone
With methadone treatment, you do not go through withdrawal. You will not feel any of the flu-like symptoms. Methadone takes away withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

With regular use of methadone, you will not have the “rush” and “highs” of street drugs, but you won’t have the “crashes” either. With methadone treatment, there is no more drama – no extreme emotions. Methadone provides a sense of well-being and relief from anxiety, worry and stress.

Why methadone works
The reason for this is that methadone works in the brain, where drug cravings originate. Heroin and other opiates increase the brain chemical “dopamine,” which causes you to feel pleasure. These drugs attach to receptors in the brain, which causes you to feel as if you need a constant supply of your drug to feel normal.

Methadone occupies these receptors, and takes away the cravings for your former drug.

Once you have gotten your life back, you can switch into a methadone withdrawal program. Over a six-month period, the medical professionals at your clinic will gradually lower the dose of methadone until you no longer need it.

At that point, you will be completely free of drugs.

To learn more about how you can end your addiction with the help of medically supervised methadone treatment,
call 866.575.8187.