Nowadays, new  medical methodologies and treatments have been established to smoothly and effectively detox, bringing relief to people who are addicted to opioids, including those using  painkillers, morphine, or heroin. To a degree, although methadone therapy can provide substantial help for those recovering from heroin addiction, it can create another addiction to opioids when continued over the long term.  

As such, it is not what people would consider a ‘treatment’ for this specific addiction beyond the initial heroin rehab process.  Enduring treatment must help opioid addicts become drug free, and such treatments are now available.

Methadone detox treatment offers many benefits.

The goal of the detox process is to become drug free.  In the initial stages of withdrawal and detox from non-synthetic opiates, the correct dosage of methadone can eliminate withdrawal and cravings. Methadone treatment can also effectively block the effects of heroin, OxyContin, and other opiate drugs making daily drug use a thing of the past.

Because seeking out a daily drug fix is no longer the integral part of the day, methadone detox clients can make a clean break from the people and influences that are the most likely to cause relapse.

Methadone does not build up tolerance levels in the system the way that other drugs can. Reaching a stable methadone dose does not mean taking a higher dose to achieve the same effect of curbing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

When used properly and monitored by trained professionals, methadone negates the desire to inject illegal drugs. With the elimination of injected illegal drugs, the risk of contracting needle sharing diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and HIV decreases.

Maintenance doses of methadone do not usually affect a patient’s daily activities. While seeking treatment, a patient can continue his or her regular routine, such as going to work or school, participate in family and friend activities, and continue on with life as usual.

Methadone, when given in the proper dose under medical supervision, has almost no side effects. It is the standard option of choice for pregnant women seeking opiate addiction assistance.

The main and enduring goal of methadone detox is to help people stop using heroin or abusing other opioid drugs. Clients who complete the programs will be better equipped to lead more stable and productive lives than during their addiction. With the help of trained staff and clinicians at certified methadone detox programs, clients will be encouraged to take steps to participate in their own recovery.

Professional staff members help patients by:

• Encouraging them to stop addictive substance use and abuse including the use of alcohol, marijuana, heroin, cocaine and other stimulants, and other drugs.

• Urging them to discontinue the use of legal medications in ways other than that in which they were prescribed.

• Discouraging any kind of criminal acts or behavior. While many programs have staff members trained to aid in navigating the complicated and often disheartening criminal justice system, criminal behavior while in the detox program may be grounds for expulsion.

• Identifying and treating other kinds of mental and physical health problems.

Helping patients with their own self-care in health matters.

These health issues could be related to past drug or alcohol abuse or could be unrelated. All pre-existing health difficulties should be reported upon entering any detox program so that necessary medication changes can be accommodated and medication interactions can be monitored.

• Providing assistance with school or job application information, post-program training, job placement, career change education options, or preparation for re-entering the work force.
• Offering support in searching for appropriate housing and childcare options while still keeping up their detox program commitments.
• Facilitating family and relationship counseling involving parents, siblings, friends, spouses, and children.

Some of these relationships are the hardest to navigate while going through addiction recovery. Family counseling is available through most rehabilitation programs.

Any detox program is a great commitment. All rehabilitation programs are difficult. But all patients, with the proper dedication to the program, can come out the other side a better person. Through these programs a person will obtain new skills and better coping mechanisms to be empowered to handle the world without the burden of addiction.