Who Needs Methadone Maintenance Treatment?

In the event that a person becomes addicted to an opioid, there may come a time when he or she considers which treatment option will give them the best chance of long term success.

Since the early 1960’s, methadone maintenance has been used to help those with a dependency on opioids regain control of their life.

While there is no denying the many benefits of methadone maintenance treatment, it is important to note that there are other steps a person should take along the way to increase their chance of success. This includes counseling, therapy, and other medical services.

The Benefits

Methadone treatment helps people recover from opiate addiction and reclaim their lives.

In short, methadone maintenance is used to reduce cravings, block the effects of opioids, and suppress withdrawal symptoms. Along with this, here are some of the benefits associated with this treatment strategy:

• Overall improvements in general health
• Reduction in the overall use of illegal drugs
• Improvement in productivity and social health
• Improved chance of remaining in a treatment program

Note: the use of methadone maintenance has also gone a long way in reducing the risk of HIV infection, since it fights against needle sharing

Who Can Take Advantage?

Many people are under the false impression that methadone maintenance can used to fight against an addiction to almost every drug. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

It has been proven effective in opioid dependence, but has no effect on alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, or other types of drugs.

Getting Started

Those who are interested in methadone maintenance must first determine if this is necessary. It is important to receive professional advice and assistance, often times starting with your primary care physician. From there, consult with rehab facilities that can help you overcome your addiction and put your life back on the right track.

You can also visit a methadone clinic to discuss your situation and to see if long term treatment is right for you. It is at that time that you can determine if a methadone maintenance treatment strategy is right for you.

Since it can be difficult to determine if you need methadone maintenance treatment, you must consult with a medical team that can assess your situation and help you decide what you should and should not be doing. Only then can you decide which steps to take and how your body will react to treatment.