Methadone and Libido

Methadone Sexual Dysfunction

In general, male drug users were found to be prone to erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual desire, and increased ejaculation latency, with erectile dysfunction and decreased libido most commonly seen in heroin users. Accordingly, in men seeking treatment for opioid dependence, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction was significantly higher in comparison with healthy control subjects. . In association with the clinical evidence of sexual dysfunction, impaired hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and increased prolactin (PRL) levels have been found in patients exposed to long-lasting opioid receptor stimulation.

Methadone and Libido & Methadone Sexual Side Effects

When a doctor initiates a person into methadone treatment, the goal is that the transition is smooth and results in the least number of side effects. If a person takes the advised dose, in the recommended timeframe, side effects should be minimal. However, due to varying physiological factors, some individuals may experience some side effects as a result of taking methadone. For many years, methadone has been recognized as an effective maintenance treatment for opioid dependence. However, of the many adverse events reported, sexual dysfunction is one of the most common side effects.

Sexual dysfunctions such as erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory disturbances, and lack of desire for sexual relations are often reported in a considerable number of male patients on methadone maintenance. The exact prevalence of sexual dysfunction among this population is yet to be determined as they vary from study to study. It was reported an overall sexual dysfunction prevalence range of 30–100%, whereas most studies have reported a subtype of sexual dysfunction namely ED, with prevalence ranging from 16% to 83.6%. 

Can You Get Addicted to Methadone?

Methadone addiction can be a bit of a taboo topic, as many people in the medical community see the drug as a necessary aid in helping Heroin addicts recover. But as with any opioid, addiction is an all-too-common side effect. Methadone addiction can come about because the drug eases a user’s pain. As time goes on and tolerance builds, more of the drug is needed for the same effect.

Can you get high on methadone? Like all narcotics, methadone can lead to addiction and overdose. It can be misused in a manner similar to other opioids. It must be taken exactly as directed by a certified Opioid Treatment Program provider. This certification is to be obtained from SAMHSA. It is also important to note that a history of alcohol use, heart or respiratory problems, or mental health issues can cause adverse side effects when taking methadone.

Once physical dependency happens, it is very likely that a person will experience withdrawal symptoms upon no longer taking methadone. The amount of time it takes for withdrawal symptoms to set in is about two to three days post-use, and symptoms can last up to 10 days. It is important to consult a health care provider before stopping the drug due to the withdrawal symptoms and side effects that can occur.

Signs That Someone Is Addicted To Methadone

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.

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 Treatment Centers

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 questions, “does methadone cause heart problems? or can you snort methadone?”, then you should also be aware of the risks of abuse and addiction in misusing this drug, which includes the strong connection between methadone and libido. 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

Medical 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 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.

Alumni Coordinator, Nicole Baxter’s Methadone Addiction Recovery Journey With Support From Daughter Video

Nicole Baxter’s Addiction Recovery Story and Testimonial Video

“I’m here with the Nicole Baxter, one of our alumni coordinators.

What does your bottom look like?

My bottom was like a spiritual bottom. I was I wanted to die every day. I was putting a lot of drugs in my system every day, trying to make the pain go away. And it wasn’t going away anymore. So I was using for no reason anymore, because when I first started using, that’s what that was for, was to make it all go away. And it was still there. So it was like a spiritual bottom for me. I felt dead inside, and I was looking for a way out. So I prayed really hard that night, and my brother a few days later called me.

How long were you in treatment for?

A long time. I went to detox for almost a month because I was on methadone when I came down here, so my detox was painful when I finally came.

Knowing that I was away from them was hard to deal with because it was like a reality check. It was the hardest part of getting sober.

It was my biggest excuse prior to coming to not like that was my excuse. Like, I can’t go to treatment, I can’t be away my kids, but, like, I wasn’t a mom anyway, so I was getting high every day, you know? And I struggled with telling my daughter the truth about where I was. She thought that I had just comedown here to visit her uncle.

It wasn’t until I was in, like, IOP one afternoon, my therapist had me go outside and make a phone call, and I told her that I had come down for detox. And in my head, I thought that she was gonna hate me. But it was the best conversation ever. All she said to me was, Mummy, I just want you to get better. I’m just happy that you’re getting better.

What is your life like today? In sobriety, in recovery?

I’m happy, sober happier than I was high. And I thought that I’d never be happy sober. I didn’t think it was possible.

What do you do for your recovery every day? I have sponsees that I talk to on a daily basis, so I give back what I was given, which is what I think keeps me sober at most. I go to meetings, I work in treatment. So I’m like hands on with clients all daylong, people that are right where I was. So I try my best to use my story to help them get to a better place.

Oh, yeah.”

Does Addiction Rehab Work?

The success of treatment can vary from person to person, but longer stays in treatment frequently lead to better outcomes. Long-term rehabilitation is rarely aided by detox alone. Is treatment effective? Compared to not attending treatment, attending treatment boosts a person’s chances of long-term recovery.

Popular alcohol & drug rehabilitation & mental health treatment related articles: