Symptoms Of Methadone Withdrawal

Methadone is a synthetic opiate used to treat heroin withdrawal and pain symptoms.  It has been helpful in the therapy and treatment of several conditions, but it has still become best known as the drug given to heroin addicts to curb the carving the arise after use has stopped.  It works by metabolizing certain enzymes and changing around specific neurotransmitters.  Methadone can be taken in several forms, including orally, with two main types of pills available, and as a liquid.  Methadone also causes severe withdrawal symptoms after the patient has been taken off of the drug.

The symptoms of methadone withdrawal can be very severe, with some heroin addicts who have been put on the medication to get off the illegal drug claiming the withdrawal is even worse than heroin.  Methadone is a narcotic, and it should be treated as such, but even if taken properly the symptoms of withdrawal can set in.  As you take the drug more and more, you develop a tolerance and dependence on the substance, which leads to the need to take more.  There were almost 4,000 deaths linked to methadone in 2004, mainly due to a combination of other drugs and overdoses.

And after methadone has served its purpose, you will have to come off of it

The symptoms of methadone withdrawal can last for weeks, with even the reduction of dosing causing prolonged withdrawal symptoms. Generally, most doctors will try to slowly ween patients off of the drug in order to make the symptoms less severe, but for patients who have been on the drug for several years, this doesn't do much.  The other option doctors try to take is switching the patient to a different, but similar, drug with a withdrawal profile that is less severe.  While methadone does wonders for those trying to quit heroin, the withdrawal is something that most people try and avoid going through, so switching to a different medication has a tendency to work.  The symptoms of methadone withdrawal are still there, but at a reduced severity level.

Here are some of the symptoms of methadone withdrawal.  While this list isn't comprehensive, the major symptoms are here.

The Physical Symptoms- the are the physical symptoms people tend to experience when coming off of methadone.  These symptoms can range in severity.

• Lightheaded
• Tearing
• Runny Nose
• Sneezing
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever and Chills
• Tremors
• Tachycardia
• Aches and Pains
• Elevated Sensitivity To Pain
• Elevated Blood Pressure

The Cognitive Symptoms- these are some of the psychological withdrawal symptoms people encounter when getting off of methadone.  These symptoms can range in severity, and some may not even show up.

• Suicidal Thinking
• Depression
• Adrenal Exhaustion
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Spontaneous Orgasm
• Insomnia
• Delirium
• Auditory And Visual Hallucinations
• Increased Perception Of Odors
• Decrease In Sex Drive
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Panic Disorders
• Paranoia
• Delusions

Your doctor will do everything they can to help you with the symptoms of methadone withdrawal, but for many, there isn't much you can do besides tough it out.  While it is hard, if you can come off of heroin, you can handle coming off of methadone.

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