Schizophrenia and Methadone Use

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Methadone is a controversial drug that is primarily used to help addicts recover from an addiction. The controversy is easy to see: many argue that a user is simply trading one substance for another, which can lead to another addiction.

While some have used the drug to successfully defeat their problems, there are others that remain on the drug for years after kicking their initial addiction issue. Methadone creates a sense of well-being in the minds of its users, which helps to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms that recovering heroin and prescription drug addicts might feel.

Schizophrenia Symptoms

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that manifests itself in the breakdown of thought processes and poor emotional responsiveness.

Common symptoms of schizophrenia are:

  • Auditory hallucinations (“hearing voices”)
  • Extreme agitation
  • Delusions
  • Disorganized speech and thinking

 

These are usually accompanied by social and occupational dysfunction, as well. Schizophrenia usually presents itself first in young adulthood. Men tend to first display symptoms in their early 20s, while women more frequently show signs in their early 30s.

Genetics are believed to be a primary cause, but it also reported that certain recreational and prescription drugs can worsen symptoms, with several studies existing that connect schizophrenia and marijuana use. One in 200 people are affected with the disease, for which there is no known cure.

Using Methadone to Treat Schizophrenia

Unlike LSD, which some believe can lead to schizophrenia, methadone is a drug that, while addictive, is believed to help relieve the symptom and aide in the treatment of schizophrenia, much like it aids in the treatment of other drugs. There are many medical professionals who swear by this treatment option.

The problem, of course, is that methadone itself is a potentially addictive drug. Like many medications, users will often become more tolerant of the drug the longer they use it, and therefore need increasing amounts of methadone in order to achieve the same effect. Eventually this can lead to dependency and addiction. Some people are never able to be without the drug, and when it comes to a disorder like schizophrenia, they could be using it for the rest of their lives.

Regardless, schizophrenic patients are not unlike others with mental disorders, and the reality of having to use medication to maintain normalcy is something that is often viewed as necessary in such cases. A drug like methadone that can achieve this for the patient is sometimes the only way for them to have a regular lifestyle.

How We Can Help

There are always questions and concerns when discussing medications like methadone and disorders like schizophrenia. We can help provide the information you are looking for. Call our toll-free number, 844-496-9429 where our counselors are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer your questions, listen to your concerns, and provide helpful and friendly advice in a non-judgmental environment.

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