Methadone Detox Center in Mississippi

Dr. Saurabh Bhardwaj

Dr. Bhardwaj, Medical Director is a Board-Certified Addiction Psychiatrist (ABPN) and currently the Medical Director of Defining Wellness Center in Brandon MS. He is also an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Medical Director of Center for Innovation & Discovery in Addictions (CIDA) at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He has been in Mississippi since 2018, building Addiction services for the state's only medical center and joined Defining Wellness Center in 2022 to provide specialized dual diagnostic services. He is a recipient of Ruth Fox scholarship from AAAP and trailblazer teaching award from UMMC. He is also a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

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Methadone Detox & Withdrawal Management

Methadone is a legal opioid used for pain treatment but is also commonly used as a therapy for people quitting an opioid addiction, such as one to heroin. Methadone, when only taken in a professional treatment facility as a maintenance therapy, is not necessarily addictive. When it’s used as a drug of abuse, (and as we will see, it most certainly is), methadone is incredibly addictive.

In a proper medical setting, methadone is useful and effective, and any withdrawal symptoms from it are addressed prior to discharge. However, when used illicitly, withdrawal from a methadone addiction can pose a multitude of problems. It can be painful and even deadly.

The rest of this article serves to educate about methadone withdrawal and illustrate how to best approach seeking help for methadone addiction. Defining Wellness Centers is here to help, so call or visit us today for more assistance.

Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms

For all users, tolerance to methadone is established quicker than with most other drugs. This means that methadone abusers will need more and more each time they use. Please note that the higher one’s tolerance to methadone at the time of withdrawal, the more severe the symptoms of withdrawal are likely to be.

Withdrawal symptoms of methadone are similar to those of heroin or morphine. Still, perhaps fortunately for the recovering addict, methadone withdrawal is not as intense as with most other hard drugs. Withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:

  • The chills
  • Fever
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Body aches
  • Excessive sweating
  • Increased heartrate
  • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Intense cravings for more methadone

Because methadone stores itself in fatty tissue and takes longer to leave the body than most substances, withdrawal symptoms can last up to six weeks. Also, they might not even set in until 1-5 days after the last use. However, symptoms usually begin right away.

Withdrawal symptoms are much more likely to occur, and much more likely to be worse, if an addict stops using without help. Opioids present the most dangerous withdrawal circumstances, and Wellness Recovery can provide all the help necessary for a methadone addict to recover.

Help with Methadone Withdrawal

Methadone is a synthetic opioid used medically as an analgesic, anti-addictive and reductive preparation for individuals with opioid dependency, as well as a pain reliever. It works by stabilizing patients and blocking the euphoric effects of heroin and other opioids. Properly medicated methadone patients will reduce or stop use altogether.

A common method of treatment for methadone withdrawal is through the use of drugs like buprenorphine or clonidine, among others. Wellness Recovery staff members can provide drug treatment in a safe and effective manner.

It’s likely methadone therapy is only available to you by means of a government-approved program. This is due to the risk of misuse and possible overdose. When used medically, both the patient and methadone intake are monitored to ensure a safe recovery. Support groups, or even one-on-one counseling, can also help tremendously. Give us a call today to find out more.

A Final Word

During methadone addiction recovery, it’s critical not to abuse any opioids. Those who are recovering from opioid addiction (or have been sober from opioids a while) are at extremely high risk of overdose if they abuse opioid drugs. Talk to your doctor or give us a call to discuss the best means of getting you sober today.

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If you are ready to take the step towards a new life, call Defining Wellness today and learn more about how we can help you.