What is Methadone Used For? | Methadone & MAT for Addiction

Reaching a sobriety and maintaining a sober lifestyle is no easy task and may require more intensive treatments than therapy and full or partial hospitalization. Millions of American’s are afflicted with the disease of addiction. Since the severity and effects of addiction vary from person to person, different types of treatment methods may be applied. Methadone is a common prescription medication often used to treat certain addictions. What is methadone used for and is it a safe medication for anyone? Find out more below.

Traditional treatments such as individual and group therapy, intensive outpatient rehabilitation, and partial hospitalization programs are highly successful. These programs are built on sound research and evidence-based practices. Due to the effectiveness of these programs, achieving sobriety and reducing relapses have improved drastically. For further information on how rehabilitation is monitored and recorded please visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse here.

what is methadone used for

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Drug Abuse

Many of the current intensive programs and hospital rehabilitation programs available today now offer medication options to aid in developing a sober life. This is often referred to as medication management or medication assisted therapy (MAT).

Medications used with proper therapy and monitoring is a highly effective tandem. In fact, it is recommended for most severe addiction cases. It is not commonly used or recommended for less severe cases of alcohol or other drug use disorders.

Examples of severe cases where medication-assisted therapy is beneficial include cases where becoming sober has dangerous or life-threatening consequences.

MAT Common Myths

It is a common misconception that simply ceasing use of an addictive substance will lead to improvements in quality of life and health. Many people who do not understand drug use do not understand the dangers that may occur with stopping an addictive substance immediately, particularly if a substance has been used for several years. Severe consequences may occur when a victim of addiction quits a drug “cold turkey”.

Physicians and AODA therapists will deter patients from unmonitored cessation of alcohol or other drugs as the body has become dependent upon the substance. Without proper medical oversight, the body may begin to shut down if the substance is no longer introduced to the bloodstream. It is important to note that sobriety is still the most important goal and doctors do not recommend continuing to use the illegal substance itself.

Due to the dangers of stopping drugs and alcohol immediately, researchers and providers have developed safer methods for achieving sobriety that will not severely damage or shock the human body. Medication-assisted treatments are important, however further information is needed to assess the current addiction to know if medication-assisted treatments are safe for you. AspenRidge is able to provide further information on possible medications and the right treatment plans.

Problems with “Quitting Cold Turkey”?

MAT is important as it can help reduce the severe consequences that can occur from quitting a substance outright, or commonly referred to as “cold turkey.” The term is used throughout the United States to describe the immediate cessation of substance use.

Many people who are quitting cigarettes, dieting, or changing habits will often use the term “cold turkey” as well. Quitting cold turkey with a severe case of substance dependence is dangerous as the body has become used to the chemical compounds in the drug. If these chemical compounds are stopped immediately with no gradual reduction, several severe problems may occur. These consequences include:

  • Brain damage
  • Nerve damage
  • Lung failure
  • Blood clots
  • Seizures
  • Death

Finding a proper medication-assisted therapy is important as it can help prevent physical damage and possible death while increasing the likelihood of achieving sobriety.

The dangers of quitting cold turkey are very real and it’s important to gather more information. AspenRidge offers a partial hospitalization program and has staff that can properly administer safe and effective medications for rehab. Wondering what is methadone used for? Find out more below.

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What are Common Medication-Assistance Therapy Drugs?

There are several medications available that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid dependence. Medication-assistance is commonly used for opioids as they have a strong impact on the nervous system and vital functions of the body. Knowing what medication is most appropriate warrants an in-depth and thorough assessment by trained professionals. Common medications used to help reduce the impact of opioids and other drugs include:

  • Suboxone
  • Methadone
  • Vivitrol
  • Naloxone

These medications are commonly used for medication-assisted treatment and are administered by a trained clinician on a specified term. They are rarely prescribed for at-home use and must be administered with safe procedures to minimize the chance for abusing the medication-assisted drug. This is why the creation of methadone clinics was established.

What is methadone used for? Current methadone clinics do not solely offer methadone, but may help to administer other controlled medications for drug use. For further information on methadone clinics and other medication-assisted drugs please visit the FDA here.

What is Methadone Used For?

Methadone is a medication commonly used to treat opioid dependence. Methadone is a safe and effective alternative to reducing the amount of an illegal substance in the body without the experience of negative or unsafe consequences. Methadone does have a possibility to cause dependence to the medication. Because of this danger of abuse, methadone is offered in a clinic setting and is rarely given as a take home or as needed medication without medication management.

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Does Medication-Assisted Therapy Help Treat Mental Health?

Methadone or other drug use medications are not specifically designed to help treat mental health disorders, however proper medication-assisted treatments for mental health concerns do exist. Common medications for mental health diagnoses include:

  • FLUoxetine
  • Wellbutrin
  • Methylphenidate
  • Xanax

These medications can help to address depression, anxiety, and a plethora of other mental health disorders. It is possible to engage in both mental health medications as well as substance use disorder medications. It is important to discuss this with professionals as there is a potential for contraindications.

How Can AspenRidge Help?

Our methods for treatment are customized for the individual. We have addiction professionals and drug rehabilitation specialists that offer support around the clock. Our team can administer in-depth testing to determine the level of severity for addiction and the best options for treatment. In most cases, a combination of therapy and addiction-specific rehab is effective. In extreme cases, MAT may be an add-on to help combat the initial process of recovery.

MAT is not meant to be a long-term solution. It’s important to speak directly with a healthcare provider or Colorado drug rehab center to learn more about long-term aid for addiction. Call us directly 24/7 at 855-281-5588. Find out more on what is methadone used for and some common risks.