Methadone (Dolophine) is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine. It also reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcotic drugs without causing the "high" associated with the drug addiction. Methadone is used as a pain reliever and as part of drug addiction detoxification and maintenance programs.

Methadone is used primarily to help patients control their dependence on heroin or other opiates. The drug acts on the central nervous system as an analgesic that is useful in pain relief. Over a long term, this drug can also yield to both a mental and physical dependence. That may lead to methadone withdrawal side effects when administration is abruptly halted. Side effects include confusion, convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, and weakness.

Methadone detox is a three phase process designed to rid the methadone addict from the grip of methadone addiction. The most effective methadone treatment combines a safe atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, skilled physicians, effective medications and proper nutrition. The greatest fear methadone addicts have is the fear of methadone withdrawal symptoms. This fear can keep a person in their methadone addiction for years and years. The key to a successful methadone detox is to relieve the addict from the perceived threat of pain, nausea and insomnia. At Orange County Detox we go to great lengths assuage that fear. The fact is, Orange County Detox has developed a methadone treatment program that practically eliminates pain from the methadone detox process. The main concepts employed within our methadone detox process are “efficacy” and “compassion.” Orange County Detox believes in a humane methadone detox for anyone suffering from methadone addiction. The fact is within 24 hours after admission most clients are amazed that they feel so well. We use a specialized methadone detox program just for methadone addicts unlike the protocol methadone detox programs of many other detox centers. We are opponents of the methadone maintenance programs that are found throughout the United States. Even Suboxone maintenance is a dangerous option. Orange County Detox is a suboxone detox center and a believer in total abstinence after opiate detox is complete. Orange County Detox (suboxone detox California) recommends that a methadone addict can never safely use any opiate again. We recommend full disclosure to any and all physicians including dentists for the rest of their life.

Each individual will have a different set of issues (emotional, psychological) and health concerns (age, medical history, etc..) which require individualized methadone detox programs. Simply put a 23 year old methadone maintenance client will have a different methadone detox than a 40 year old teacher addicted to prescription medications (norco, vicodin, etc…). The overall concepts, phases and goals are the same but the little nuances change for each individual. We recommend entering an opiate treatment center that specializes in difficult detox. Orange County Detox is just that facility. The facility was founded in order to give any opiate addict a fair shake. We treat our clients like equals because we are. No person is worse than any other and no person is better than any other.

We are believers in short term suboxone detox treatment. Get off the methadone in a safe and painless manner. Take responsibility for your situation and make the appropriate changes in your life to remain drug free. Simple ideas that are not necessarily easy but unequivocally necessary.

Methadone belongs to the opioid family of drugs. It is used most commonly to treat dependence on other opioid drugs such as heroin, codeine and morphine. Methadone is a "synthetic" opioid, which means that it is made from chemicals in a lab. Other opioid drugs include the "opiates," such as morphine and codeine, which are natural products of the opium poppy, and "semi-synthetic" opioids, such as heroin, which is morphine that has been chemically processed. Methadone was developed in Germany during the Second World War and was first used to provide pain reliever. Ironically, methadone was hardly ever used during the war. Because the war ended before mass production could begin.

Methadone maintenance treatment, which prevents opioid withdrawal and reduces or eliminates drug cravings, was first developed in the 1960s. For many years, Canadian regulations around the prescription of methadone were so restrictive that few doctors offered the treatment. People who wanted methadone treatment often had to wait months or years. In the 1990s, the need to reduce the harm of drug use was more clearly recognized, and changes were made to make it easier for doctors to provide methadone treatment. This has led to an increase in the number of people receiving treatment, and a decrease in the number of heroin-related deaths.

Pure methadone is a white crystalline powder. The powder is dissolved, usually in a fruit-flavored drink, and is taken orally once a day. It also comes in pill form used prescribed as a pain-reliever (analgesic).

Most people who are prescribed methadone are being treated for opioid dependence. This includes people who are dependent on illicit opioids, such as heroin, oxycontin and also prescription opiate medications like oxycontin, roxicet, percodan and others.

Females that regularly use opioid drugs and who are pregnant are often treated with methadone to protect the fetus. Short-acting opioids such as heroin must be taken frequently to avoid withdrawal. Opioid withdrawal increases the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Methadone maintenance, combined with medical care, improves the chances of having a healthy baby. There are no known long-term effects of methadone on the baby. At least none that have been released publicly.

People who use opioid drugs regularly and who are infected with HIV or hepatitis C, are prescribed methadone treatment to help protect their health, and to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases by sharing needles.

Methadone is sometimes used to provide pain relief for people who have severe chronic pain or pain associated with terminal illness.

When people begin methadone treatment, some experience the euphoria and sedation that are common to all opioid drugs. As treatment continues, and a stable dose of methadone is established, tolerance to these effects develops. Those in treatment often describe the feeling of being on methadone as "normal." Methadone treatment does not interfere with their thinking. They can work, go to school or care for family. Methadone also blocks the euphoric effect of heroin and other opioids, and in this way reduces the use of these drugs. Most people experience some side-effects from methadone treatment. Possible side-effects include sweating, constipation and weight gain.

Methadone has a half-life of between 24 and 36 hours. Noticeable effects can last up to 48-hours. If methadone is stopped abruptly, symptoms such as insomnia, stomach cramps, diarrhea and muscle and bone ache will occur. These symptoms begin within two to three days after the last dose, peak at four to five days, and then gradually subside, although other symptoms such as sleep problems and drug cravings may continue for months (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome).

Yes, all narcotics are dangerous. Methadone is a powerful drug and can be extremely dangerous to people who do not take it regularly, as they have no tolerance for its effects. However if you take it regularly you become methadone dependent and are still an opiate addict. Even a small amount may be fatal for a child. For this reason, the dispensing of methadone is carefully monitored and controlled.

An important risk methadone maintenance treatment is that it reduces the likelihood the person will ever become opiate free. They are still living within a high risk lifestyle. Any miscalculation with a mixture of benzodiazepines or alcohol can very easily become a lethal combination. The dangers of methadone use include death by overdose, and becoming infected, through needle sharing, with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C. Suboxone treatment helps to protect people from methadone-related tragedies.

Yes, absolutely. No doubt about it. Modern definitions of "addiction" look at many factors in assessing a person's drug use. These include "tolerance," or the need to use increasing amounts to achieve the same effect; "physical dependence," resulting in withdrawal symptoms if drug use is stopped; and "compulsive use," despite the negative consequences of continuing to use the drug.

Orange County Detox says without equivocation, “that methadone is just as addictive as heroin”

Methadone will ruin your life. It is one of the most addictive substances on the planet earth. Methadone combined with other drugs like valium or alcohol can be lethal. Long-term effects include death, and opioid dependence. Which one is worse is debateable.

Methadone withdrawal is considered within the opiate dependent community as the worst opiate withdrawal a human being could experience.

Methadone withdrawal can be a debilitating and painful experience. But it does not have to be. The duration of withdrawal symptoms vary depending upon length of use, amount of use, type of administration and overall health. A younger person experiencing their first withdrawal will often find, after looking back, that their first methadone withdrawal would be as easy as it would ever be again. The body becomes so dependent upon methadone that safe usage of any opiate after an addiction has set in is impossible. “Once an opiate addict always an opiate addict,” is a common experience for most opiate addicts. The goal is to remain abstinent. Remain vigilant and avoid risky situations can become a life-long mantra.

Methadone withdrawal duration usually lasts about 4 weeks, but for some, especially the methadone addict of many years, methadone withdrawal can last months (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome). The most common methadone withdrawal symptom is sleeplessness (insomnia). In fact, the fear of sleeplessness can keep many opiate addicts from asking for help. Proper nutrition, hydration and exercise can minimize the likelihood of a lengthy and debilitating opiate withdrawal. Orange County Detox now has a detox from opiates program that minimizes most opiate withdrawal symptoms. Opiate detox with a skilled physician at a safe and effective treatment center can allow opiate addicts a painless opiate detox experience. Call (877) 338-6962 for more information.

Physical withdrawal from discontinuation of opiates can have a wide array of symptoms. These symptoms may include:

• Sleeplessnes (Insomnia)
• Diahrea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Cold Sweats
• Sneezing
• Muscle and Bone Pain
• Goose Flesh
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Watery Eyes
• Dehydration
• Stomach Cramps
• Lethargy
• Loss of Appetite
• Slower Reflexes
• Increased Blood Pressure
• Increased Heart Rate

Orange County Detox offers methadone addicts a way out from the clutches of methadone addiction in a safe and effective manner. Our methadone treatment program is designed to rid a person of the compulsion to use methadone. The first step in that process is to remove the methadone from the body without putting the methadone addict in a state of despair and discomfort. We use skilled physicians and knowledgeable counselors to guide a person through methadone withdrawal so they can regain their freedom. Orange County Detox recognizes that methadone addicts fear the opiate withdrawal process.

The first part of our methadone treatment program is to ensure each methadone addict they will overcome their methadone addiction without physically falling apart. Our emphasis each day is on three targeted areas: Nutrition-Medication-Rest. If a methadone addict can sleep each night through the methadone withdrawal process than success is usually a foregone conclusion. Rarely have we seen a methadone addict fail that has thoroughly followed our track.

The second part of our methadone treatment program is threefold.First, we schedule the initial induction and stabilize the patient. That usually means a suboxone detox program. Each stabilization process can differ for each person depending upon; the amount of methadone they use each day and how long have they continuously used. The vast majority of methadone addicts will stabilize within 24 to 72 hours. The second phase is known as the taper or titration phase. This phase is where the physician’s skills are of the utmost importance. A proper taper will allow most methadone addicts a chance to withdraw in relative comfort. The third and final phase is known as the discontinuation or stager stage. Skilled physicians will adjust medications to a point where all medications are removed from the suboxone treatment program without the client noticing the adjustment back into freedom. Our emphasis each day is on three targeted areas: Nutrition-Medication-Rest. If a methadone addict can sleep each night through the methadone withdrawal process than success is usually a foregone conclusion. Rarely have we seen a methadone addict fail that has thoroughly followed our track.

This type of methadone treatment (three on three methadone treatment program) has proven to be the most effective treatment model available. There are other types of methadone treatment modalities but they usually mean discomfort and or lack of effectiveness. If a methadone addict wants the very best treatment program available we can help. Orange County Detox and Orange County Rehab specialize in opiate treatment and are renowned by some of the oldest and largest treatment centers in the country. We contract for many of those treatment centers and handle their most difficult methadone detox clientele. If you want the experts in methadone detox give us a call at (877) 338-6962.