Deciding to break free from opioid dependency through the prescribed use of methadone is a significant step toward long-term recovery. But what happens when you’re ready to eliminate methadone–and its dangers of dependency–from your life?
While the process can be overwhelming, enrolling in a safe methadone detox program can minimize the risks and discomfort of withdrawal. Her Harbor Recovery Center offers specialized care to help women navigate this challenging journey with personalized detox plans, compassionate support, and holistic therapies.
Read on to learn more about why professional support is critical to successfully detoxing from methadone–and what the Her Harbor team can do to assist.
What Is Methadone?
Methadone is a synthetic narcotic drug that is legally prescribed to help treat various forms of opioid addiction–including heroin, morphine, and oxycodone dependency. It may also be prescribed as a painkiller for those suffering from severe pain–such as that resulting from cancer treatment.
Like these other painkiller drugs, methadone works by binding to opiate receptors in the brain, which in turn helps promote relief from pain symptoms. However, it’s structured differently in that it doesn’t produce the same “high” feelings associated with drugs like heroin or fentanyl.
This key difference is what allows people to use methadone as a way to detox from more intense opioids without feeling the extreme cravings or withdrawal symptoms that can trigger a relapse. Still, the body can become dependent on the milder opiate effects of methadone, which can increase its potential for abuse–as well as the risk of fatal overdose.
Why Is Methadone Detox Important?
Although methadone significantly reduces the withdrawal felt when detoxing from other opioids, it’s still a drug that can lead to physical dependency. As such, anyone who has taken methadone for an extended period is likely to experience cravings and withdrawal symptoms if they quit abruptly.
Sometimes, the intensity of these effects can be enough to cause a person to turn back to methadone for relief, as well as relapse back into their original opioid addiction.
Methadone detox is a controlled, structured program that allows individuals to gradually taper off the drug in a safer way that helps minimize withdrawal and reduce the risk of relapse. By helping steer clear of these roadblocks, properly detoxing from methadone can make it easier for a person to transition into a long-term opioid addiction recovery.
Can You Experience Withdrawal Symptoms While on Methadone?
Yes, even though methadone helps stabilize individuals by reducing withdrawal from other opioids, it can still cause its own withdrawal symptoms.
When a person quits “methadone” cold turkey, they face a high risk of experiencing a variety of withdrawal symptoms, which can include aches, nausea, sleeplessness, anxiety, and mood swings.
A medically supervised detox program is designed to minimize these withdrawal symptoms as much as possible by gradually tapering the individual off of the drug. To keep physical and mental stress to a minimum, the doses are incrementally reduced in a way that’s proportionate to the original dosage amount.
During this process, medical staff will help manage any of the withdrawal effects that do occur to promote safety and comfort, as well as discourage relapse.
What to Expect During Methadone Detox
As one of the leading methadone detox centers in Central California, Her Harbor Recovery Center follows a personalized approach to ensure every client receives holistic care for long-term rehabilitation.
Your stay at Her Harbor begins with a detailed intake assessment, which is used to better understand the specifics of methadone use and any addiction that occurred before it. This information is used to help structure an individualized detox plan–such as when determining the ideal tapering schedule.
Detox is provided under close medical supervision so clients are never left feeling alone, uncomfortable, or unsafe as the body adjusts. While mild to moderate symptoms may occur, Her Harbor provides a spacious, private, and peaceful environment–as well as luxury amenities–to help make the experience comfortable.
Once tapering is successfully completed, individuals will often have to address the emotional and psychological effects of the dependency. Her Harbor is ready to support by offering a variety of therapy services, holistic wellness activities, and peer support programs.
How Long Does It Take to Detox from Methadone?
The time it takes to fully detox from methadone ultimately depends on the dosage an individual was taking and how long they were using the drug.
Whatever the case, people can expect a safe tapering process to take anywhere from several weeks to a few months. As a rough guideline, the dose is generally decreased by 20% about once every two weeks until the drug is fully eliminated and physical symptoms have subsided.
Aftercare and Support
Detoxing from methadone is a strong start to one’s recovery journey. However, aftercare is still vital to address the emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of methadone dependency that may linger long after the detox process.
At Her Harbor Recovery Center, we offer a variety of therapeutic approaches to support long-term recovery, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), dual diagnosis therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and psychodrama therapy. In addition to addressing the root causes of addiction, counseling services can help clients identify future relapse risks and learn healthy ways to cope with them.
We also promote holistic healing through guided activities like trauma-informed yoga and experiential hiking. Our aftercare programs can also include peer support groups or participation in a 12-step program.
Why Choose Her Harbor Recovery Center for Methadone Detox?
Her Harbor Recovery Center is a top choice for women seeking methadone detox due to our personalized care and holistic treatment. As a women’s drug detox facility, we’re proud to provide a safe, nurturing environment where clients can focus solely on their recovery without outside distractions.
With a trauma-informed approach and access to upscale amenities, clients can heal in comfort while receiving exceptional medical and psychological care. Our programs not only address the physical aspects of detox but also provide the emotional support needed for sustained recovery.
Get Help Today
If you’re ready to move away from a methadone dependency, Her Harbor Recovery Center is ready to provide all the support you need for success. When it comes to methadone detox, Fresno, CA residents have turned to Her Harbor for its women-centric initiative, structured individualized care, and holistic resources. To learn more about how you can reserve a spot in our inpatient methadone detox program, call (559) 481-8318 to speak with one of our friendly team members.
Haley Sample is a dedicated and experienced registered nurse with a robust background in healthcare and leadership. Her professional journey includes significant contributions to various medical institutions, showcasing her expertise and commitment to patient care. Her leadership skills, marketing acumen, and dedication to patient care make her a valuable asset in the healthcare industry.
