The United States is experiencing an opioid use epidemic. In 2018, 67,367 drug overdoses occurred. Opioids account for almost 70 percent of all overdose deaths. In Pennsylvania, for every 100 persons, there are 49.9 opioid prescriptions written. Also, 65% of all overdoses that result in death throughout the state involve opioids. This makes for 2,866 deaths in 2018.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, opioid deaths are on the decline. To further this decline, methadone may be able to help those who suffer from addiction.
What is methadone?
Methadone tablets are opioids that are typically for managing moderate or severe pain. If other drugs are ineffective in treating your pain, doctors may choose an opioid. According to Healthline, you can find methadone under the brand names Methadose and Dolophine. Also, there are many generic versions of the drug. Each brand comes with different strengths.
How does methadone work against addiction?
It may be surprising to hear that opioid medication is an effective treatment against addiction. Opioid withdrawal can be severe. The pain from withdrawal can often deter users from taking steps to forgo opiates. A doctor may prescribe methadone to those who need help with opiate addiction. It can come in an oral tablet, an oral concentrate solution, oral solution or oral dispersible tablet. It comes in a variety of strengths.
When you take methadone under the control of your doctor, it can offset severe withdrawal symptoms from other withdrawals. It and reduce your pain and help you curb the addiction. Doctors may integrate methadone into a maintenance or detoxification treatment.
