Treatment in itself is a living hell and just because she starts treatment doesn't mean she will be coming off of her pain meds. It may be used as a long-term maintenance therapy or in shorter periods for detoxification without withdrawal symptoms.
Do not stop or change the amount of medication you take without talking to your doctor first. The goal in using opioid replacement therapy is to remove the uncomfortable daily withdrawal that interferes with a person’s ability to function normally. Methadone, or opioid substitution treatment, helps wean addicts off hardcore drugs, but inflexible barriers and a "risk averse culture" has left consumers terrified, angry and, in some cases, dead.
A: Methadone is a narcotic analgesic or pain reliever. I was on it for 5 years at 150mg for maintenance therapy. These deaths and life-threatening side effects have occurred in patients newly starting methadone for pain control and in patients who have switched to methadone after being treated for pain with other strong opioid pain relievers. In general methadone should be gradually discontinued to avoid becoming sick with withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2D6 and is a substrate for the P-glycoprotein efflux protein in the intestines and brain.
Again, methadone has also been proven to reduce symptoms of withdrawal in individuals recovering from addiction to narcotics like heroin. A 2004 GAO study notes that placement of clinics can impede recovery and exacerbate relapse: “Although these clinics are intended to help those in need of rehabilitation, patients who seek treatment must navigate their way to and from the clinics in an environment in which illegal sales of narcotics are daily occurrences. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use: other narcotic medications - opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine; drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing - a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, sedative, tranquilizer, or antipsychotic medicine; or drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body - medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
However, the lowest dose of Methadone is about 10 mg. Instead, doctors encourage immediate cessation of drug use, rather than the gradual process that methadone substitution therapy entails. 1 times a human daily oral dose of 120 mg/day, based on body surface area comparison. Some people experience mild side effects, and a very small percentage of people in methadone maintenance treatment experience intolerable side effects. Seems as though they don't or choose not to believe me. Many people have successfully overcome their addiction by using methadone during detoxification and maintenance programs. Note: if you have missed three doses in a row, call your doctor or contact your methadone clinic for advice on what to do next. You cannot talk normally with an ounce or two of liquid in your mouth. It is generally accepted that the more intensive the counseling contacts the individual is willing to submit to, the higher the success rate of the program.
Click Here for More Information