Tag: opioid treatment

  • Luxury Rehab Guide for Methadose Addiction

    Luxury Rehab Guide for Methadose Addiction

    Use this handy guide to find out everything you need to know about Methadose

    1. What is Methadose?
    2. What are the slang terms for Methadose?
    3. How do you use Methadose?
    4. What are the consequences of a Methadose overdose?
    5. What should you avoid when using Methadose?
    6. Methadose side effects
    7. What are the other drugs that can negatively interact Methadose?
    8. What is Methadose addiction?
    9. How long does Methadose stay in your system?
    10. What is Methadose withdrawal?
    11. What is Methadose rehab, and is it useful?
    12. How can you choose the right rehab center?

    What is Methadose?

    Methadose is an opioid that is used to treat moderate to severe pain. The synthetic painkiller can have several health risk factors that can lead to respiratory disorders when abused. Methadose reduces pain by directly acting on the brain stem and can suppress an individual’s autonomic respiratory drive. This medicine is strictly regulated, and is only available through a valid prescription provided by your doctor or pharmacist.

    What are the slang terms for Methadose?

    Many opioids have code names or slang terms. These code names are often used when painkillers are sold illegally. Medical professionals need to know about painkillers and their slang terms so that they can diagnose the symptoms of Methadose overdose before the situation gets worse. Here are some of the standard slang terms that are used for Methadose:

    >> Amidon

    >> Dollies

    >> Dolls

    >> Fizzies

    >> Mud

    >> Red Rock

    >> Tootsie Rolls

    How do you use Methadose?

    To get the most positive Methadose effects, you have to follow the dosage and instructions that are provided by yout doctor. Methadose usually comes in tablet form for oral consumption. One dose of Methadose is equivalent to 40 mg. As mentioned before, it’s prescribed for pain management that is caused from injuries and terminal diseases like cancer. Methadose is also used to help patients who suffer from opioid dependence to detox. Unlike other opioids which may have short half-lives and require frequent dosing, Methadose’s long duration and slow onset enable it to remain in a person’s system for up to thirty hours once ingested. This means that the patient will have to take a dose only once a day.

    Here are some crucial points you should know before you take Methadose:

    >> Avoid taking the medication if you have severe asthma or breathing problems

    >> Avoid taking the medication if you have any stomach or intestine problems

    Methadose side effects can result in a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder, and it’s necessary that you get your heart checked regularly during treatment.

    You must inform your doctor beforehand if you have any of the following conditions:

    • Heart problems
    • Lung disease
    • Head injury, seizures, or a brain tumor
    • Any mental illness or substance addiction
    • Liver or kidney problems
    • Urinary issues
    • Gallbladder or pancreatic diseases

    Avoid using this medicine during pregnancy because there are chances that your baby will become dependent on the drug as well. This will be dangerous for the baby once it’s born because it can experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for many weeks. If you’re taking Methadose after giving birth, then you must avoid breastfeeding because the drug can pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness and breathing problems for the baby.

    When you receive your Methadose prescription, ensure that you follow the medication guide that comes with the drug. Avoid using Methadose for longer than necessary or taking a larger dose than prescribed. You should consult your doctor if your current dose is ineffective.

    Never share your painkillers with another person; your painkiller has a dosage that is specially formulated based on your current health and current condition. If you misuse Methadose, it can lead to addiction or overdose which, in extreme cases, can cause death. You should keep the medicine in a place where children cannot gain access to it easily. Selling the drug without a prescription is against the law. Ensure that you consult your doctor in case you have any questions about the medication or the dosage. 

    This medication is available in liquid form, and to consume it orally, you have to use a marked spoon or medicine cup that comes with the bottle. Do not use a household spoon for taking the medicine because the dosage will not be correct.

    Methadose can cause addiction when taken for a prolonged period.  Cessation can cause withdrawal as well. If you stop using the drug suddenly, then the withdrawal symptoms can be intense, so ask your doctor to taper the dosage. This way, the withdrawal won’t hit as hard.

    If, in any case, you miss a dose, then you will need to take it as soon as possible. Nevertheless, if you missed your dose and it’s almost time for your next dose, then you can skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosage schedule. Avoid double doses. If you miss the treatment for three days in a row, then you should consult your doctor immediately because you may need to start with a low dose again.

    What are the consequences of a Methadose overdose?

    During a Methadose overdose, you should contact emergency services and poison control right away. An overdose, of any kind, can be fatal, especially if the patient is left unattended. The symptoms for overdose include the following:

    • Slow heart rate
    • Drowsiness
    • Muscle weakness
    • Clammy skin
    • Shallow breathing

    What should you avoid when using Methadose?

    Avoid Methadose abuse (using it for non-medical reasons), you should also avoid combining it with alcohol because this can cause dangerous side effects and can lead to death. Once the medicine begins to take effect, you should avoid operating any heavy machinery. The drug can make you tired, and operating any heavy machinery can cause accidents and serious injuries. Also, avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit products because they can cause adverse side effects.

    Methadose side effects

    If you begin to notice any side effects or allergic reactions when you take Methadose, like hives, difficulty in breathing, inflammation of your face, lips, throat or tongue, you should seek emergency help immediately.

    Side effects can include:

    • Shallow breathing
    • Constipation
    • Dizziness
    • Fainting
    • Heart palpitation
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting

    What are the other drugs that can negatively interact Methadose?

    Painkillers can react with many other drugs, and they can result in intense side effects. If these side effects are not resolved, then they can lead to death.

    >> Any other narcotic painkillers or cough suppressants

    >> Sedatives like Valium or Xanax

    >> Drugs that make you drowsy

    >> Drugs that affect the serotonin levels of your body

    You should also inform your doctor if you are currently taking any antibiotic, antifungal, heart, blood pressure, seizure, or hepatitis C medicines. Any over-the-counter drugs and vitamins should also be mentioned when consulting your doctor

    What is Methadose addiction?

    Addiction does not happen suddenly. Instead, it happens gradually over time. When you’re on a medication, it’s vital that you update your doctor on any issues that you’re facing. This way, your doctor can monitor your progress while on the dose he has given you. If you feel that your pain has not improved, then you will have to consult your doctor once again to adjust your dose. 

    It’s illegal to give your medicine to someone else. So, keep the unused medicine away from children and in a safe and secure location. If you show signs of overdose, get help as soon as possible.

    Patients who take Methadose have a high chance of getting addicted to the drug. The severity of the addiction depends on the dosage of the opioid. Methadose tends to create a mental and physical dependency on the drug.

    Because Methadose comes with a high risk of addiction, it’s classified as a schedule 2 substance in the United States. It’s categorized as a schedule 1 drug in Canada, and other countries as well. It’s illegal to use any methadone-based drugs in Russia.

    How long does Methadose stay in your system?

    Methadose takes a long time to clear your system. The way your body reacts to the drug, along with the duration of its stay in your system, depends, in part, on your physiology and medication history. It can take anywhere from 8 to 59 hours for the drug to metabolize. Urine tests can identify Methadose from 24 hours to 7 days after the last dose. Blood tests can detect Methadose for three days after the last dose.

    Methadose requires a prescription and you must only take the amount required. If you excede the prescribed dose, there can be big problems; people can get addicted to this drug easily, especially if there is no medical reason for them to use it anymore. An addict can experience increased dependency on the drug, and this means that their situation goes from bad to worse.

    What is Methadose withdrawal?

    Methadose is a type of methadone hydrochloride medication. When taken in moderate doses, it helps with pain and has a positive effect on the patient’s well-being. However, this does not negate the fact that the drug can be addictive and dangerous when taken more than prescribed. Methadose requires medical supervision and should not be taken without a doctor’s prescription.

    Once you know the severity of addiction and withdrawal symptoms, you will probably notice that any attempt at self-treatment is pointless. It’s hard to have a level of commitment to stop the addiction by yourself, without any help or support. Substance abuse can lead to addiction which is a behavioral disorder that often requires professional help, and it’s rarely something that can be cured immediately. Prescription drugs that are used for recreational purposes, more often than not, lead to addiction. When substance abuse takes over a major portion of your life, then it’s helpful to accept that you have a problem and that you need help.

    Common withdrawal symptoms are:

    >> Sedation

    >> Insomnia

    >> Vomiting

    >> Low blood pressure

    >> Swelling of the hands and feet

    >> Mood swings

    The symptoms of Methadose withdrawal can appear as flu-like symptoms. Withdrawal can cause emotional complications as well. During withdrawal, you will experience intense drug cravings, and this is where you will usually experience a relapse. The first step towards recovery is admitting you have a problem. From there, accepting professional therapy and medication often becomes easier, and the results can be positive as well.

    Many factors can lead a person into addiction. Here are some of the common risk factors for addiction:

    • Friends or family members who have struggled with addiction
    • Abusive or traumatizing domestic atmosphere
    • Mental health illnesses
    • Use of alcohol or drugs at an earlier stage in life

    Addiction is not a lost cause, and just like any behavioral disease, it can be treated with the right facilities, medication, and professionals. The journey of sobriety is not comfortable, and many obstacles may come your way. Your mind might rebel through most of the detox process, and your restraint and willpower will be tested to what may feel like a breaking point. Nevertheless, once you get through the dark and tedious phases, you will most likely feel that sobering up is the best decision you’ve made.

    What is Methadose rehab, and is it useful?

    Once a patient has accepted that they have a problem, it is easier for them to accept help. Rehabilitation centers benefit many patients who are addicted to drugs and are trying to overcome substance abuse. To begin an effective rehab treatment, you will probably have to detox. Detoxification causes withdrawal, and the process can be brutal. If you go through detox on your own, there is a high likelihood that you will cave and relapse into addiction once again. 

    Hence, having professional and medical help when going through detox can be important because the chances of relapse are lower.

    When you go for Methadose addiction treatment, the first step is creating a plan. The only way this plan can be effective is if you accept that you have a substance abuse problem. Once you do, you have to have the conviction to go through the withdrawal and recovery process. It’s never too late to get help; the earlier you accept that you have an addiction problem, the better it is for you. Rehabilitation centers are one of the many options that help with addiction and mental health recovery.

    Rehabilitation treatment will guide you through the recovery process with the help of detoxification and therapy. They will also assist when you’re going through the withdrawal process and help ensure that you don’t give in to your cravings. Self-treatment is not the best course of action, especially when you’re going through intense withdrawal symptoms.

    Listed below are three types of rehabilitation centers that are available for addiction and substance abuse treatment:

    Inpatient Rehab centers:

    Inpatient treatment involves a patient being admitted in a hospital-like scenario. Once admitted, they usually have to undergo intense therapy for a set period with 24/7 supervision. This includes medical counseling, medication, and medical assistance. This treatment will require the patient to be admitted into the center so that they can fully and safely recover.

    Outpatient facilities:

    In this treatment option, the patient can visit the center whenever they have an appointment. These facilities don’t require constant supervision or guidance. They are perfect for patients that don’t have a severe addiction and can survive through their daily routine without being triggered into a relapse. These sessions are done with the help of professionals, and they help ensure that you’re on the right path to recovery.

    Residential treatment centers:

    These are quite similar to inpatient treatment facilities, except that they are held in a residential complex. The environment and facilities of a residential center are really different from a hospital rehab center and more like a home. The approach of such rehab centers is all-inclusive, and the patient gets to live in a secure environment that takes them from the detoxification process which is carried out under supervision and on to treatment which includes therapy and, perhaps, medication. Staff and medical professionals help you get by and encourage you to complete your journey through sobriety. A residential program provides a solid foundation for recovery for the patient and is strongly recommended for Methadose treatment. Residential treatment is the most popular treatment plan, however, this plan can be expensive. 

    You can opt for rehab insurance policies, and they help with any expenses you may incur while receiving treatment. It’s important that you find out if your treatment plan is included in the policy and if you have to pay any additional costs.

    How can you choose the right rehab center?

    Every patient is different; this means there is no specific treatment plan for everyone. You need to find a rehabilitation center that will suit your needs and enable the recovery you require. It all begins with meeting your doctor and formulating a plan. Through a well-structured plan, you can make an informed decision about the rehab center you choose.

    Listed below is a typical rehabilitation process from start to finish; this process is what most centers tend to follow:

    >> Admission into the center:

    This is the starting point of your journey to sobriety, and here, you will have to contact the rehab center and enroll in the facility. Treatment facilities are aware of the overwhelming thought process that patients go through when they want to admit themselves. So, they make the enrollment process as quick and comforting as possible because the last thing they want to do is overwhelm or intimidate the patient. All you have to do is contact the admission center and book your treatment.

    >> Intake

    When you enter the facility for the first time, you have to go through an administrative process. Here, you will be asked basic questions about your lifestyle, and you will be searched for forbidden items like drugs, alcohol, or weapons. The intake process serves as an orientation for the new patients, and they are introduced to the facility and the staff. This process aims to make the experience as friendly and comfortable as possible.

    >> Assessing the patients:

    This is where the professionals begin interacting with the patients. Medical and clinical staff members will begin the process by interviewing you and determining if you have any specific needs during your stay at the center. During the assessment, the patient is asked about their addiction, the drug they are addicted to, the duration of the addiction, and if they suffered from any other mental health problems before and during their addiction. This step is quite important because it helps the staff to create a customized plan that is designed for you and will help you get better.

    >> Detox:

    The detoxification process enables your body to eliminate any toxins that are present because of your addiction. This process will lead to withdrawal, and as your body begins to adjust and balance itself chemically, you will feel a certain amount of discomfort and pain. The staff at the rehab center will make your detox process as comfortable as possible and help you through this tough time, the length of which will vary, but expect it to last a week or so. Once the detox is done, the patient feels better and calmer. You will be ready to heal yourself physically and mentally once your system is clean.

    >> Patient Care:

    Once the detox stage is complete, you’re now ready for inpatient care. During this stage, there will be many single and group therapy sessions and services that will help you in the short and long run. In this stage, you will identify your triggers, learn how to handle them, avoid relapsing, and work toward achieving long-term sobriety.

    >> Aftercare services:

    When you leave the rehab center, you’re encouraged to join the aftercare program. This is done because stepping back into the real world after an intensive rehabilitation can be quite overwhelming, and it can trigger a relapse. Aftercare services will teach you how to handle your daily routine without giving in to substance abuse.

    If you or anyone you know is suffering from Methadose addiction, ensure that you get help from trusted sources as soon as possible.

    When you spot the addiction symptoms in the early stages, you can stop it from getting worse by getting admitted to an established rehabilitation center. All centers don’t charge the same rate, and some can be more expensive than others. Some of the best rehab centers may be out of the budget for most people. Not to worry; you may be able to take out short-term loans or insurance policies that will last you through the treatment period. You should ensure that the insurance policy you choose covers the treatment plan you want.

    If you or anyone you know is suffering from Methadose addiction, you can always reach out for help from capable rehab centers and their teams of professionals. Family and friend support is always welcome, but professional help can aid in getting you through the problem.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Autoworkers Union Pushes For Better Opioid Treatment 

    Autoworkers Union Pushes For Better Opioid Treatment 

    “The issue demands that we get involved, and it demands that we set an example of combating it in a positive way,” said the union’s VP.

    The United Automobile Workers union (UAW), which has nearly 400,000 active members, is making access to addiction treatment a priority in negotiations with the major automotive companies this year. 

    “The issue demands that we get involved, and it demands that we set an example of combating it in a positive way—the union and the company,” the union’s Vice President Rory Gamble told Automotive News. “We have to grab this thing and address it now.”

    Like many people in the industry, Gamble has been touched by addiction. His granddaughter died in January of an opioid overdose. For other workers the connection is even more personal, as long days and assembly-line work lead to injuries that are often treated with opioids. 

    Working With The Union

    Scott Masi lost his automotive job after he was found sleeping on the job, a complication from opioid use disorder. Now in recovery, Masi works with the union and employers to help them better integrate employees who need treatment. 

    “If I was struggling with diabetes and I wasn’t getting my medication, and I was sleeping because of that, do you think they would have fired me? No,” he said. “I had no recourse to save my job, get the help that I needed or utilize the insurance that I had worked for.”

    Consultant Pamela Feinberg-Rivkin would like to see automakers be proactive to increase access to treatment for employees. 

    “If one or all three of [the automakers] would invest—not only in recovery; they need to have treatment first—but invest in the detox treatment and then a recovery community where they can live and work and receive that long-term care—that’s a model that should be created in the state,” she said. “Many workers that we have could benefit from having that whole continuum of care.”

    Ford’s Pilot Program

    Ford is leading the way, with an initiative to provide a point-stimulation therapy device that helps people overcome the pain of withdrawal. As part of a pilot program, more than 200 employees and family members will have access to the device. 

    “This device is not a miracle, but it is the next best thing,” said Todd Dunn, president of a local UAW chapter. “It’s a positive, disruptive solution to opioid treatment. I think you’re going to see GM, Chrysler, a lot of companies and organizations look at this device as a game changer.” 

    Jeremy Milloy, a researcher who has studied American workplaces, said that it’s important that employer health plans offered by automotive makers cover devices like this and other medication-assisted treatment. For too long, he said, the companies’ generous health plans contributed to people having easy access to opioids. 

    “It’s a really obvious time for them to say that policies based on surveillance and stigmatization have failed,” he said. “They can’t work in a system where the No. 1 most-abused drug is a licit one being prescribed through company health plans.”

    Gamble, the union’s vice president, said that the union, employers and employees are all willing to work together to help improve access to treatment. However, it’s a matter of finding an option that works for all parties. 

    “I am not against any type of solution that makes sense,” he said. “But when you sit down with a company, you have to craft that where it makes economic sense.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Feds Undertake Four-State Study to Address Opioid Crisis

    Feds Undertake Four-State Study to Address Opioid Crisis

    The $350 million research project aims to find a way to reduce opioid deaths by 40% within 3 years.

    The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is gearing up to dole out $350 million to Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio to figure out how to stop opioid deaths by 40% in those states over the next three years.

    By disbursing the money to the University of Kentucky, Boston Medical Center, Columbia University and Ohio State University, the NIH hopes to curb fatalities from drugs like fentanyl and heroin, which took the lives of about 47,600 people in the U.S. in 2017.

    Researchers will get deeply involved with 15 communities that have been hit hard by the opioid crisis to figure out how best to effectively prevent and treat addiction there. They’ll also take a hard look at how factors like unemployment and the justice system contribute to the continued crisis, and experiment with distributing anti-overdose medications to first responders, police, and even schools.

    “The most important work to combat our country’s opioid crisis is happening in local communities,” said Alex Azar, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary. “We believe this effort will show that truly dramatic and material reductions in overdose deaths are possible, and provide lessons and models for other communities to adopt and emulate.”

    The program will proceed no matter what kind of budget cuts the NIH faces, according to Azar. This is welcome news as some experts believe there is no time to waste.

    “We are in such a period of crisis that we need to know in real time what is working and what is not working,” said Dr. Alysse Wurcel of the Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

    The opioid crisis is a major issue that requires a multi-faceted approach to solve. On his show, Last Week Tonight, John Oliver called for holding members of the Sackler family, the minds behind OxyContin, accountable for their alleged aggressive and irresponsible marketing of their powerful opioid painkiller. Oliver had several celebrities dramatize testimony given by Richard Sackler.

    “The launch of OxyContin tablets will be followed by a blizzard of prescriptions that will bury the competition,” performed Michael K. Williams, repeating Sackler’s infamous proclamation. “The prescription blizzard will be so deep, dense and white.”

    Some solutions to the opioid crisis may seem unorthodox and unintuitive, such as a Canadian public health expert’s suggestion to install opioid vending machines in Vancouver, home to “one of North America’s densest populations of injection drug users.” Only proven chronic drug users could scan themselves to get clean drugs for safer consumption.

    “We’re acknowledging people will go to any extreme to use this drug. To tell them not to use because it’s unsafe is ridiculous,” said program mastermind Dr. Mark Tyndall.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Opioid Treatment Specialists Struggle To Address Sexual Dysfunction In Patients

    Opioid Treatment Specialists Struggle To Address Sexual Dysfunction In Patients

    Addiction experts worry that people with opioid use disorder may stop medication-assisted treatment due to the side effect of sexual dysfunction. 

    People treating their opioid addiction with drugs like methadone and buprenorphine often struggle with sexual dysfunction, according to a report in Filter.

    All opioids lower the amount of free and available testosterone in the human body, and lower testosterone levels are directly associated with a lower sex drive and more difficulty achieving orgasm regardless of gender. However, the actual source of sexual dysfunction can be difficult to determine, and obtaining treatment can be even more challenging.

    According to Dr. Alan Wartenberg, former president of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, 30 to 40% of individuals taking methadone and 20% of those taking buprenorphine experience sexual dysfunction.

    The chances of experiencing this problem increase, the higher the dose of the medication, but some patients may have a low sex drive and related issues due to other aspects of recovery such as stress, co-occurring mental illness, and other medications taken in addition to the methadone or buprenorphine.

    Regardless of the source of the problem, medical professionals involved in addiction treatment stress that sexual dysfunction in recovering individuals needs to be addressed. Some patients may leave treatment if the issue becomes intolerable. 

    Sexual functioning is considered a key aspect of one’s quality of life. Getting better might not seem worthwhile if a decent sex life is not in one’s future. Sexual dysfunction can also make it more difficult to get pregnant.

    “I remember as an administrator at the clinic, there were some patients that decided to end their treatment for a number of reasons, including the issue of having a lowered sex drive,” said President Mark Parrino of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence.

    In order to effectively address this problem, experts believe that people in addiction recovery need a comprehensive evaluation in order to discover the true cause of sexual dysfunction and determine the best treatment approach.

    In anyone else with issues relating to sex, a specialist would be seen and tests would be done to measure hormone levels and screen for depression and performance anxiety. Unfortunately, the social stigma surrounding addiction creates a barrier for those in recovery.

    “[T]he American attitude about addicts is that addicts are sick, they need help, but they’re also sinners so we shouldn’t help them too much,” said founding director of the Integrated Substance Abuse Programs at UCLA, Dr. Walter Ling.

    At the same time, it’s difficult to find doctors who have a good understanding of both addiction and sexual dysfunction. There is also a general stigma around the issue of sexual dysfunction, and the problem is not well understood in women. This lack of understanding has resulted in a lack of effective treatments for female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

    Dr. Karen Boyle, a urologist at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, believes that the lack of treatment options makes it difficult for people to take FSD seriously.

    “The gender bias still exists,” she said in an interview with ABC News. “We have so many really good medical treatments for men. When the FDA approves a drug for the treatment of FSD it will give real credibility to the biological basis of this type of disease.”

    All of these issue combined makes it very difficult for women in recovery from opioid addiction to address sexual dysfunction.

    View the original article at thefix.com