Can You Snort Methadone? Methadone Wafers, Dangers, Effects

Can You Snort Methadone? Methadone Wafers 40mg Side Effects

When methadone comes in tablet or wafer form, it can either be swallowed whole or mixed in liquid if it’s a dispersible tablet. Dispersible tablets should not be chewed or swallowed. Instead, the whole tablet or part of it is placed in at least 4 ounces (120 milliliters) of liquid, such as water, orange juice, or another citrus beverage to dissolve. The entire mixture is then taken immediately.

Others also use slang terms such as “wafers.” It is a term used as slang for 40mg Methadone. Normally white, but also come in orange methadone wafers. A wafer is round and about the size of a quarter. According to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), 40 mg of this drug formulation is indicated for the detoxification and maintenance treatment of opioid addiction. The methadone wafers 40 mg strength is not FDA-approved for use in the management of pain. Thus, the distribution and availability of the 40 mg formulation will be limited to registrants in only those settings using the 40 mg formulation for the appropriate indication.

Methadone for Pain Management & Treatment of Opiate Dependence Statistics

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), effective treatment for opioid use disorder includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT) which combines behavioral therapy and medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications for use in treating opioid use disorder including methadone, buprenorphine (buprenorphine with naloxone), and naltrexone. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, methadone is an opioid agonist and buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. MAT has been found to reduce morbidity and mortality, decrease overdose deaths, reduce transmission of infectious disease, increase treatment retention, improve social functioning, and reduce criminal activity. [4]

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Can You Sniff Methadone? Snorting Methadone Wafers

Can you snort methadone wafers? Can you snort methadone 10mg? Yes, snorting methadone is a quick route of administration of the drug, sending it straight across the blood-brain barrier for a near-instantaneous high. The risk of overdose when taking methadone in this manner is much higher than it is when taking it orally. Less of the drug is needed for fatal results as well.

An opioid overdose can be life-threatening. It can lead to coma or brain damage. Swift administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone can help to reverse a methadone overdose. An additional side effect of snorting methadone is long-term damage to the nasal and sinus cavities, which can cause a person to suffer from chronic nosebleeds and a runny nose as well as possible permanent damage to the sense of smell. 

The effects of snorting methadone can include respiratory issues, such as lung infections and illnesses, and can also result from snorting methadone wafers. Since the drug is more powerful when snorted, abusing it in this manner can more quickly lead to drug dependence and addiction.

Can You Smoke Methadone? Smoking Methadone Wafers

When methadone is smoked, it may often be combined with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, or marijuana. Mixing methadone wafers with other drugs can lead to dangerous and unintended complications, not the least of which is overdose.

As a central nervous system depressant, if methadone is combined with other opioids, benzodiazepines, sedatives, or alcohol, these substances can interact with each other to exacerbate the effects of the sedative. Respiratory depression and cardiovascular collapse can be disastrous results.

Smoking methadone with stimulant drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, or prescription stimulants can also be hazardous, as these substances work opposite ways. This means the stimulant drug can mute the sedative effects of methadone wafers. A person may then take more and more of each without recognizing that the drugs are actually building up in the bloodstream. As a result, they can reach toxic levels quickly.

Methadone Side Effects 

Along with its needed effects, methadone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention [2].

Methadone Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking methadone:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking methadone:

Symptoms of overdose

Methadone Side Effects Not Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Some side effects of methadone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your healthcare professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Methadone Side Effects on Heart

Methadone may cause a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Call your doctor at once if you have a headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, and fast or pounding heartbeats. Your heart function may need to be checked during treatment. 

Methadone Side Effects on Stomach

Methadone can cause various side effects associated with an upset stomach such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. Many similar symptoms are associated with opiate withdrawal but while taking methadone, these symptoms are generally less severe and will subside on their own in time. If you experience any side effects that prevent you from holding down fluids for a prolonged period, you should seek prompt medical attention as this could lead to dehydration and other serious complications.

Dangers of Methadone Abuse 

Can You Snort Methadone? Abusing methadone comes with many potential dangers, regardless of how the drug is ingested. The more methadone a person consumes, the more likely he or she is to experience these dangers.

Potential side effects of methadone use include:

Additionally, abusing methadone increases a person’s risk of overdose. A methadone overdose can be incredibly dangerous and even deadly if not properly treated. Side effects of an overdose include clammy skin, shallow breath, coma, and convulsions. If you believe someone is suffering from a methadone overdose, seek medical help immediately.

Can You Overdose on Methadone?

All opioids have a risk of overdose. The risk is especially high when you start treatment and stop taking opioids (methadone or other opioids) for a while and then start again. Mixing opioids with other drugs also increases the risk of overdose. If you or someone you know uses opioids, it is a good idea to have a free naloxone kit. Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and allow time for medical help to arrive.

An overdose involving methadone is a potentially life-threatening emergency. It is indicated by any of the following:

Is Methadone Addictive?

Tolerance

Tolerance happens in the body when it “gets used to” having a certain substance like methadone. For example, when a person is given a prescription, the doctor may tell them that they will feel dizzy for a day or two until they adjust to the new chemical compounds contained in the medication. When the dizziness wears off, tolerance has been achieved. 

In the case of an individual who seeks that dizzy feeling, or the “high” provided by the medication, it is necessary to take more of the drug to achieve the feeling. Even if someone does not intend to become intoxicated, they may take more of the medication when the painkilling effects aren’t as profound.

Withdrawal 

Because methadone is a synthetic opioid drug, the withdrawal symptoms are similar to heroin. Unlike heroin, methadone withdrawal can take several days to develop. Withdrawal symptoms will happen when a person stops taking the drug whether they are entering a detox treatment as the first step in an overall recovery plan, or simply because they have run out of their drug of choice and have been unable to obtain more. These symptoms include:

Lack of Control

In some circumstances, addiction to methadone, like other drugs, can derail a person’s best intentions. For instance, someone may recognize, on a conscious level, that they have a problem with methadone, They may tell themselves, or you, that they will only take a little of the drug to stave off the withdrawal symptoms. They may insist that they will only use it on the weekends or in social settings. They insist they are in control. 

When the time comes, however, they may use more of the drug than even they intended, seemingly unable to stop until there are no drugs left. This compulsion to use drugs is a serious sign that addiction may be present.

Using Drugs Becomes a Life Priority

When someone suffering from addiction wakes in the morning, they may have only one thought on their mind. Where can they obtain their daily dose of methadone for the day? They may spend an incredible amount of time arranging for the purchase of the drugs, until such time as they have an adequate supply in their possession. 

More Important Than Family

Some individuals who have become addicted to drugs like methadone will choose to use drugs rather than take part in activities that used to be important to them. They may elect to stay home and abuse drugs rather than attend a school play in which their child is performing. They may miss school meetings, birthday parties, and even holidays with friends and family. They may be frequently absent from work because they are too sick or too tired due to their drug use.

Methadone Addiction

Because many individuals receive prescriptions for strong painkillers every year, more and more people suffer from addiction to prescription pain medications. These are often oxycodone- or hydrocodone-based medicines, such as Vicodin, Percocet, or OxyContin. In addition, lawmakers and regulators now say that prescription pain medications are over-prescribed for problems that may not be fixed by this medication, such as chronic back pain, or they are prescribed in large quantities for post-surgery pain treatment.

Although the Food and Drug Administration does not recommend methadone as a prescription painkiller for these types of pain, over 4 million prescriptions were written for methadone in 2009. The rise in methadone prescriptions, specifically for use as a painkiller, is because methadone is cheap, especially compared to hydrocodone and oxycodone. In addition, insurance companies are sometimes more willing to cover the cost of methadone instead of brand-name opioid painkillers, which has driven many people to switch their prescriptions to methadone.

Methadone Addiction Treatment

Can You Snort Methadone? There is a strong link between mental health and substance abuse. Individuals who struggle with mood disorders like depression, ADHD, and anxiety are more susceptible to developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol, often to self-medicate symptoms of their underlying mental health condition. These co-occurring disorders can make each other worse without proper treatment.

If you’re asking the question, “can you snort methadone?”, then you should also be aware of the risks involved in doing so. If you are experiencing methadone withdrawal, it’s crucial to first get an accurate assessment of all the symptoms. When the symptoms have been evaluated by a mental health professional, it may be determined that another form of mental condition is present and needs a particular type of treatment. Very often, some combination of psychotherapy, medication, and/or lifestyle changes are effective for coping with functional.

Medically-Assisted Detox

Detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of methadone withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete methadone detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide the necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of methadone withdrawals.

Psychotherapy 

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves making changes in both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Person-Centered Therapy – is a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
• Solution Focused Therapy – is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.

Top 10 Methadone Wafers FAQs