Long term effects of methadone on the brain (INFOGRAPHIC)

By affecting the way the brain works, long-term methadone use can change one’s behavior, mood, emotions and psychological health. Check out the details in this infographic.

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Methadone abuse has adverse effects on the brain

Methadone is a useful medication when prescribed to people detoxing and recovering from opioid drug addiction and helps lower the harmful and risky consequences. However, due to it’s price and easy availability, methadone is also a common drug of abuse for many people who have not been prescribed or need it for therapeutic reasons.

What are methadone’s effects on the brain?

Methadone in most people produces feelings of sedation and contentment as a result of its action on the opioid receptors of the brain. When methadone is abused, one of the main reason for the abuse are the feelings of high and lethargy. However, in those who abuse methadone continuously for a longer period of time, more serious side effects can be observed. Those adverse effects include:

Long term effects of methadone on the brain (INFOGRAPHIC)

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  • confusion
  • depression
  • disorientation
  • hallucinations
  • mania
  • mental clouding
  • mood changes
  • restlessness
  • sleep problems

Methadone dependence and addiction

Methadone is an extremely physically addictive drug, and the risk of addiction is higher when it is not used under the supervision of a doctor or addiction treatment provider. Dependence to methadone is developed in both, therapeutic users and abusers. It is simply the result of our organism getting adapted to the presence of the medication, so when doses are lowered or abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur.

Methadone effects on the brain questions

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About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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