Methadone Treatment for Heroin Addiction Term Paper

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Cons:

Methadone use has a number of side-effects such as constipation, sweating, loss of libido, sleep disturbance, weight gain, dental problems, vomiting, and serious bowel problems. While most of the side-effects are reduced or managed by controlled prescription, they can occasionally be severe enough to affect a person's health sufficiently for him to discontinue treatment (Withers, 1999)

One of the 'advantages' of methadone, i.e., it blocks the euphoric high of heroin can also become a disadvantage at times, as many addicts under methadone treatment miss the 'high' of heroin and could overdose themselves for the sake of experiencing the euphoria.

Methadone is a long-acting opioid. In other words, its effect in the body remains for up to 36 hours.

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This makes it difficult for patients under methadone treatment, desirous of becoming completely drug-free, to kick their methadone habit. According to some, it is far more difficult to kick the methadone habit as compared to heroin ("Methadone and Methadone Addiction," 2005) Withdrawal symptoms of methadone are similar to that of other opiates and may include nervousness, muscle contractions, sweating, diarrhea, and hallucinations. While the withdrawal symptoms of methadone may be less severe than that of heroin, they last much longer -- for 3 to 6 weeks as compared to about 4 days for heroin (Ibid.; Withers 1999)......

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"Methadone Treatment For Heroin Addiction" (2007, November 26) Retrieved May 21, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/methadone-treatment-heroin-addiction-33980

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"Methadone Treatment For Heroin Addiction" 26 November 2007. Web.21 May. 2025. <
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"Methadone Treatment For Heroin Addiction", 26 November 2007, Accessed.21 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/methadone-treatment-heroin-addiction-33980