4 Reasons to Use Methadone for Heroin Substance Abuse Treatment

Methadone has been in use for heroin substance abuse treatment since the 1960s when it became apparent that heroin addiction was a serious problem. Heroin is one of the most difficult addictions to end. Although there are many treatments for heroin addiction, there are some very good reasons to consider methadone first.

1.Methadone is Easy to Use

Methadone is very simple to use. After the initial dose adjustment, it is just a matter of going to the clinic every day and picking up your regular dose. Eventually after you have been on it for a while, the doctor may even prescribe it for home use. This happens only after youíve been stable on a single dose for a very long time.
Methadone also lasts in the body for at least 24 hours. This means you will only need one dose per day in order to achieve the full benefits of the treatment.

2.It is a Safe and Effective Heroin Substance Abuse Treatment

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, methadone is one of the safest treatments available for heroin substance abuse treatment. When it is combined with counseling, it is also one of the most effective treatments as well. It can be useful in helping you get off heroin initially or as a maintenance treatment.

3.It Controls Cravings and Prevents Relapse

The main reason why people choose to use methadone is because it helps fight the horrible cravings that normally lead to relapse. Although there are other treatments that are effective, methadone maintenance has one of the highest success rates of any of this class of drugs.

4.It Controls Withdrawal Symptoms so you do not have to Feel Most of Them

With methadone, there is no reason to feel the symptoms of withdrawal. Heroin withdrawal is described as one of the worst drugs to withdrawal from. Methadone prevents withdrawal completely in most people.

Signs of Heroin Substance Abuse Treatment is Necessary

Heroin is one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs that you can use. It routinely kills thousands of people in the United States. Recognizing the signs of heroin addiction can help you know when heroin substance abuse treatment is necessary.

Physical Signs of Heroin Addiction

The physical signs of addiction are usually the first ones that you will notice. According to the Indian Health Service, the physical signs of heroin addiction are:

• Sudden weight loss
• Slurred speech
• Impaired movement
• Track marks on the body
• Blood shot eyes
• Tremors
• Cravings
• Experiencing the physical symptoms of withdrawal when you do not have heroin

There are other physical signs but these are usually the first that you will notice. Each person is slightly different. Seeking heroin addiction treatment when you are experiencing the early signs of addiction is extremely important; if not some of the damage that heroin does could become permanent.

Behavioral Signs of Heroin Addiction

The behavioral signs of heroin addiction may be much worse than the physical signs. They often appear after only a few doses of heroin. Some of the more prominent behavioral signs are:

• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Depression
• Difficulty with family relationships
• Difficulty with friendships
• Absence from work causing job loss
• Risk taking behavior while on heroin, to get heroin, or to get money for heroin
• Sudden changes in what you do, like, or think
• Mood swings
• Neglecting responsibilities such as school or family
• Financial issues resulting in stealing to buy the heroin
• Your friends change or all of your friends use heroin

Each of these behavioral changes become more and more obvious as the addiction gets worse. When you see any of these signs, it is important to get heroin substance abuse treatment as soon as possible. The signs of heroin addiction will only get worse, if you do not.

4 Signs That You Are Relapsing After Heroin Substance Abuse Treatment

Heroin addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease. This means that it is a long lasting disease that has a high relapse rate. If you feel you are going to relapse, it is important to seek out heroin substance abuse treatment as soon as possible. Fortunately, if you know the signs of relapse, you can avoid it.

1.You are Under Stress

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, stress can cause a relapse even after long periods of not doing a drug. Heroin increases pleasurable feelings and reduces your stress level temporarily.
It causes you not to care about the things that are stressful. This is a very attractive prospect when the stress is intense. If you are under stress and think you are going to relapse, it is important to go back to heroin substance abuse treatment as soon as possible.

2.You Begin to Crave the Drug

Regardless of the reason you are craving heroin, cravings are a good indicator that you are going into relapse. When you begin to crave heroin again, you should find treatment as soon as you can. These cravings just get more and more intense, if you do not do something about them.

3.You Think about Doing Heroin Constantly

If you find yourself thinking about the smell, taste, or feeling of doing heroin, you might be sliding into a relapse. You might remember the fun that you had or how the heroin let you escape. Thinking about the heroin constantly could be a key turning point in relapse and recovery. When you find yourself obsessing about heroin again, seek heroin addiction treatment as soon as possible.

4.You Become Overconfident About Confronting your Triggers

Overconfidence is the enemy when you are considering confronting things that you know trigger cravings. This overconfidence may cause you to think that you should confront your triggers rather than avoid them. If you are not ready to deal with your triggers, they can easily cause a relapse.

For more articles on heroin addiction visit http://addictions.com