Contrary to what you may have heard, it is possible to become dependent upon medication prescribed to treat opiate addiction. Methadone and other opiate replacement therapies (Suboxone, Subutex) can be habit-forming as well, prompting patients to find a way to detox altogether from opiates.
Methadone is often dispensed in a clinic for people who’ve become addicted to heroin, OxyContin and other opiates. This is a long-term solution for many people who face this dilemma. Some people stay on methadone for years. Just like other opiates, the body can become used to having the drug, so coming off is far from easy.
Many people who want to be opiate free turn to other opiate treatments such as traditional detox or rapid opiate detox. These methods don’t use opiate substitutes to address the problem of addiction. Detox is a necessary step in order to get people on the road to recovery.
Forget What You May Have Heard About Methadone Detox
Methadone is a synthetic opioid that has pain-relieving properties and relieves withdrawal for those enrolled in an opiate maintenance program. Here are some of the myths surrounding detox:
MYTH: Physical detox is sufficient to cure the problem of methadone addiction. Physical opiate detox can eliminate the physical dependence and opiate withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle and bone pain and body aches. This doesn’t address the psychological effects such as strong cravings, depression and extreme agitation. It’s best to explore these effects in a detox facility or aftercare program that offers various therapies.
MYTH: A person can safely and successfully detox on his or her own. It is extremely difficult to navigate methadone addiction without help. Willpower alone won’t get you there. This is not meant to discourage, but rather to educate people that “cold turkey” detox is dangerous and often leads to relapse.
MYTH: “Detox” implies that a person will be locked up for weeks or months in a facility. Options such as rapid opiate detox can safely and quickly eliminate the physical opiate addiction in as little as 3 to 5 days. Some programs also offer transitional care.
MYTH: Rapid Opiate Detox Is Dangerous. There are plenty of companies that take your money, offering quick cures but cutting corners to get there. This jeopardizes safety and long-term recovery. Rapid detox, performed by a reputable company, can absolutely change your life and your outlook in a very short amount of time.
MYTH: Detox is expensive and doesn’t offer any guarantees. Think about it this way – the right detox program may cost more than you think you can afford. But it’s one of the best investments you’ll ever make. For some people, opiate detox means the difference between life and death.
Clare Waismann is the founder of the Waismann Method®, a leading opioid detoxification program with nearly three decades of clinical experience. As a registered addiction specialist and certified counselor, she has dedicated her career to advancing humane, medically-based approaches to opioid dependence. Clare has been featured in major media outlets discussing addiction policy and patient care, and hosts the Waismann Method Podcast. All content on this site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
