What Should I Do If I Abuse My Methadone Medication?

If you have been taking your medication home, or had access to it for some other reason, and wound up abusing it, it is very important that you follow several steps in order to safely ease back into your recovery. This does not mean you have failed in your treatment, but you must still take precautions to avoid further issues associated with relapse.

Directly After Methadone Abuse

It is important, first and foremost, that you ensure you are safe and the effects of the drug will not be harmful to your health. As stated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, it is important to call 911 immediately “if an overdose is suspected,” as this can possibly lead to respiratory depression, coma, and death. If you believe you are not in immediate danger, call someone close to you who supports your recovery and ask them to stay with you while you come down from the medication.

Talk to Your Doctor

Let your doctor know right away that you abused methadone so they can take the necessary precautions.

Your physician at the methadone clinic where you have been receiving your medication will need to know if you have relapsed. This is important information, as it helps them determine how best to help and treat you and lets them know your current state in recovery so they do not start a new phase for which you are not ready. Your doctor should be on your side during your entire methadone treatment process, and since some individuals stay on the medication indefinitely, this is often a long-term relationship. Therefore, it is incredibly necessary to let your doctor know the situation so they can determine how best to treat you.

Consider the Contribution to Relapse

If you relapsed as a result of cravings or a desire to overcome withdrawal, knowing what contributed to your relapse can help you to avoid a situation of similar expense in the future. If you relapse due to a trigger that is avoidable, try avoiding the trigger in the future. If you relapse due to a trigger that you simply cannot avoid, seek counseling to help you understand how to cope with the trigger in a safe manner.

What if I Relapse While in Methadone Treatment?

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Get the Help You Need

Methadone abuse and relapse is serious, but if you seek help immediately, you can stay on track with your recovery and figure out what was causing the problem. If you have more questions about methadone, call 800-994-1867Who Answers? today.