Dolophine Addiction

Dolophine, an opioid prescribed for severe pain, has a high risk of abuse and dependence, increasing the chances for addiction.

Dolophine, abrand name for methadone, is classified as aSchedule II controlled substancein the US under the regulation of the Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA. As such, the drug has a legitimate medical use but also a high risk of abuse and dependence.

Article at a Glance:

• Dolophine, a brand name for methadone, is used for severe pain and for opioid addiction treatment
• As a Schedule II controlled substance, Dolophine is a high-risk drug for abuse and dependence
• Serious side effects include slowed breathing, which can be fatal
• Medical detox and rehabare options to help you overcome your struggle with Dolophine

Dolophine Addiction

Dolophine, like allprescription opioids, is highly addictive. Patients prescribed and taking the medication responsibly may still develop a dependence or tolerance. Signs which may point to addiction can include:

• Becoming obsessed with finding and taking the drug
• Losing interest in the hobbies or activities you once found enjoyable
• Performing poorly or irregularly at school or at work

These should all be reported to a doctor or healthcare professional as soon as they become noticeable.

What is Dolophine?

Dolophine is the brand name of thesynthetic opioid methadone. It’s classified as an opioid analgesic, which means that it changes the way the brain feels and responds to pain. The drug is manufactured as round, white5 and 10 mg tablets. It is FDA-approved to treat chronic pain in patients who require around-the-clock pain relief. This medication should only be used to treat ongoing pain and is not meant for managing mild or breakthrough pain.

Experts considerDolophine a safer option than many other opioids in people with kidney problems due to its limited breakdown products.

Other methadone products, including dissolvable tablets and liquids, are alsoFDA-approved to treat opioid addictionin a treatment program because they can stop cravings and withdrawal symptoms caused by other opioid drugs.

Signs, Symptoms & Side Effects of Abuse

Dolophine’s most common side effectsinclude:

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating

Serious side effects are similar to other opioids andincluderespiratory depression and a severe drop in blood pressure.

Dolophine Overdose

The risk of overdose when taking Dolophine is highest is when it is taken without the guidance of a medical professional. For this reason, doctors generally prescribe only the lowest effective dose.

Further, the opioid is processed by the body in a slightly different way than many other opioids. This may increase the risk of overdose. The peak pain-relieving effect of Dolophine occursbeforethe peak risk of slowed breathing, or respiratory depression. Because it can take3 to 5 daysfor your body to feel the full impact of a dose change, your doctor may increase your Dolophine dose slowly and over a long period of time to avoid accidental overdose.

Dolophine should never be used recreationally due to the high risk of overdose.Symptoms of an overdose include:

• Flaccid muscles
• Weakness
• Purple/blue fingernails and lips
• Low blood pressure
• Slow heart rate
• Small pupils
• Respiratory depression
• Inability to stay awake or alert

Pinpoint pupils, severe respiratory depression and severely decreased levels of consciousness are the core symptoms of an overdose. They are referred to as the “opioid overdose triad.”

Dolophine, like other opioids, is a central nervous system depressant. It suppresses the body’s natural instinct to breathe by acting directly on the brain stem, the area of the brain that controls respiratory drive. The ultimate result is a serious drop in oxygen levels in the tissues (hypoxia) which can cause organ failure throughout the body. Hypoxia is responsible for the blue lips and fingers that characterize an overdose.

Drug overdose can be fatal. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, call911immediately. Do NOT be afraid to seek help.If you do not have access to a phone contactWeb Poison Control Servicesfor online assistance.

Dolophine and Alcohol

The combined use of Dolophine with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol can lead to potentiallylife-threatening complicationssuch as:

• Extreme sedation
• Respiratory depression
• Coma
• Death

This occurs because central nervous system depressants can have an additive effect on the brain and body. As such, your central nervous system can become overly depressed, which may be fatal. Central nervous system depressantsinclude:

• Opioids
• Benzodiazepines
• Sedatives
• Antihistamines
• Muscle relaxants
• Seizure medications
• Antipsychotics
• Alcohol
• Some street drugs, including heroin

Long-Term Consequences

Due to its risk of abuse and dependence, misusing Dolophine over the long term can increase your risk of addiction. When you are addicted to a substance, it is difficult for you to stop taking the substance even if you are aware of its serious negative effects on your life.

Dolophine Withdrawal

Accredited rehab facilitiesmay administermethadone products to people who are struggling to overcome opioid addiction. This strategy is often calledmedication-assisted treatment, or MAT.

If you no longer wish to use Dolophine, you should contact your doctor before adjusting your methadone dose. This is true regardless of if you are taking methadone products for pain relief or for MAT. In most cases, doctors will lower your dose over time. This strategy oftapering off the medicationhelps the body gradually adjust to less of the medication. In turn, you have a better chance of avoiding severe withdrawal symptoms.

Do not stop taking the drug suddenly or “cold turkey,” as this will greatly increase your risk of withdrawal symptoms. If you take methadone products for MAT, this may also seriously increase your risk of relapse.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Dolophine withdrawal symptoms are oftenless severethan those of other opioids like morphine. Nonetheless, symptoms caninclude:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Hot and cold flashes
• Sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Runny eyes and nose
• Diarrhea

Withdrawal Timeline and Symptom Duration

Long-acting opioids like methadone typically cause withdrawal symptoms that start between12 and 48hours after you have stopped the drug. These symptoms can last between10 and 20days.

If you are having difficulty managing withdrawal symptoms, it is recommended that you enter amedically-assisted detoxification programto help you during this troubling time. In this program, patients can detox in a safe place and ask medically-trained professionals questions about the withdrawal process.

Remember, no one experiences withdrawal in the same way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Dolophine Addiction Treatment & Detox

Overcoming a struggle with Dolophine or other methadone products is difficult on your own. Withdrawal symptoms and cravings can make it hard to stay sober. Medical detox, the first step in recovery, is important to help wean you off Dolophine while minimizing withdrawal symptoms. Following medical detox, rehab is important to teach you coping techniques for life without drugs and to explore why you started struggling with Dolophine in the first place.

Choosing a Dolophine Rehab Center

Choosing an accredited rehab facilitythat will suit your needs is an important step in living a happier, healthier substance-free life. To make the most informed decision possible, it is recommended that patients set up a meeting with their doctors to discuss their unique needs.

The Recovery Village has a variety of resources that can be tailored to fit each patient’s needs. To learn more about these life-saving programs,contact us todayto talk with one of our helpful representatives.

If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction or another form of substance abuse disorder, do not delay in seeking the help you need. Although recovery isn’t easy, our staff will be with you every step of the way.