Florida Drug Rehab

Methadone abuse is becoming a common problem across the United States, and this drug use carries very high risks to the user and everyone else in society. Classification as a controlled substance means methadone is only legally available by prescription, but it is widely available on the streets illegally and this availability helps to feed methadone abuse. Methadone is a narcotic pain medication which is quite similar to other opiates including morphine. In some cases this drug may be prescribed to individuals who are addicted to heroin and other narcotic drugs, so that the withdrawal symptoms are lessened and the user does not receive the euphoric high of the drug.

ethadone pills

Methadone Abuse Detection

Detecting methadone abuse is possible, and there are a number of symptoms and signs that this problem is occurring. A frequent need for new prescriptions, constantly complaining of pain, taking more than the prescribed dosage or taking the drug more frequently than what is prescribed, mood swings, depression, and other signs of opiate addiction may indicate that methadone abuse is a problem. Some individuals who receive a prescription for this drug may sell their medication on the street, so many prescribing physicians now insist on blood tests to ensure that the patient is actually the one who is taking the drug and that the drug is not ending up on the street.

Factors Involved With Methadone Abuse

Methadone abuse occurs for number of reasons. In some cases this drug may be prescribed, and abuse can occur because the drug has been taken for a longer period of time so that a tolerance has developed. The user may need to take more Methadone to receive the same high that they originally received from the drug. Others who have a methadone abuse problem may have started using the drug illegally, in an attempt to feel better or to self medicate any emotional problems or mental illness that may be present. Some individuals may decline into methadone abuse because of severe pain, and in these circumstances the doctor may want to switch the patient to another drug instead so, that better results are seen and a lower dose of narcotics is being taken.

Methadone Health Concerns

There are many health concerns with the use of this drug, and with the abuse of any narcotic or other drug. Because methadone is similar to morphine it also depresses the respiration, and this means that even a small overdose can result in the death of the patient if immediate medical attention is not sought. This effect is stronger when alcohol is used in combination with the drug, and many emergency rooms around the country see frequent cases of methadone overdose and deaths. Any improper use of this drug constitutes methadone abuse, and carries a very high risk of injury or death.

Methadone Abuse

Methadone abuse is becoming a common problem across the United States, and this drug use carries very high risks to the user and everyone else in society. Classification as a controlled substance means methadone is only legally available by prescription, but it is widely available on the streets illegally and this availability helps to feed methadone abuse. Methadone is a narcotic pain medication which is quite similar to other opiates including morphine. In some cases this drug may be prescribed to individuals who are addicted to heroin and other narcotic drugs, so that the withdrawal symptoms are lessened and the user does not receive the euphoric high of the drug.

Methadone Abuse Detection

Detecting methadone abuse is possible, and there are a number of symptoms and signs that this problem is occurring. A frequent need for new prescriptions, constantly complaining of pain, taking more than the prescribed dosage or taking the drug more frequently than what is prescribed, mood swings, depression, and other signs of opiate addiction may indicate that methadone abuse is a problem. Some individuals who receive a prescription for this drug may sell their medication on the street, so many prescribing physicians now insist on blood tests to ensure that the patient is actually the one who is taking the drug and that the drug is not ending up on the street.

Factors Involved With Methadone Abuse

Methadone abuse occurs for number of reasons. In some cases this drug may be prescribed, and abuse can occur because the drug has been taken for a longer period of time so that a tolerance has developed. The user may need to take more Methadone to receive the same high that they originally received from the drug. Others who have a methadone abuse problem may have started using the drug illegally, in an attempt to feel better or to self medicate any emotional problems or mental illness that may be present. Some individuals may decline into methadone abuse because of severe pain, and in these circumstances the doctor may want to switch the patient to another drug instead so, that better results are seen and a lower dose of narcotics is being taken.

Methadone Health Concerns

There are many health concerns with the use of this drug, and with the abuse of any narcotic or other drug. Because methadone is similar to morphine it also depresses the respiration, and this means that even a small overdose can result in the death of the patient if immediate medical attention is not sought. This effect is stronger when alcohol is used in combination with the drug, and many emergency rooms around the country see frequent cases of methadone overdose and deaths. Any improper use of this drug constitutes methadone abuse, and carries a very high risk of injury or death.

Learn more about drug addiction rehabilitation.