Doed methadone affect the way she is acting

[jjmss]

my partner has been on methadone for 6months after 3 yrs on herion crack she has mood swing we can not have disagreement over a little thing and she gets out of control can not control her emotoin  and are aurguments get big over very small things

[specialmom]

Yes, so very often--  those that suffer addiction have underlying depression and anxiety.  A symptom of depression and anxiety is volatility.  She's also had years of numbing emotion with drugs.  Methadone is still a drug (and much better than heroin but I'm sure that ultimately she and you would like her to be truly drug free) but she is much less zoned out.  So, I would say that she is stunted in her ability to handle her emotions.  

How does she feel after her emotional outburst or bad temper/moods?  Is she remorseful?  Would she like to change this?  Do you feel you can talk to her about this?  I hope so because that is really the only way to conquer the problem.

I'd talk to her about her emotions and that she may feel better if she sees a therapist/psychiatrist.  Not because she is 'crazy' (sadly, some think it is an insult to suggest that talking/working with a professional will help them) but because it could very well make her feel better.  She may be doing that already as part of her aftercare.  I would find out for sure if depression/anxiety are at play and treat it if it is.

Second, here is something to try if she is open to it.  It is called a 'stress thermometer" and is a good way for people to self regulate their temper.  You can do a little visual with her and have her picture a thermometer---  the old fashioned kind with a ball on the bottom and then it goes up.  Bottom is cool.  We call that blue.  That is where she feels just right.  All is well, she is calm and happy.  She is smiling, relaxed, talking and breathing normally.  This is the ideal place to be----  not just because she is easier to be around when she is 'blue' but because she is happiest there.  The next section up on the thermometer is yellow.  This is where she is getting agitated, irritated.  She is talking a little louder, faster, breathing faster.  Her body is starting to tense.  She is not smiling.  The next section of the thermometer is orange.  This is where she is angry.  She's starting to yell, she's closing cabinets loudly, she's breathing hard, her face is tense, her hands are in fists.  The next section is red and this is where she is as bad as she can get.  A tantrum, adult style.  Screaming, throwing things, hitting, a complete meltdown.  

So those are the stages of anger correlated to color and pictured on a thermometer.  Understanding them is really key in self control.  Taking note of how you feel at each stage and what your body is doing is part of learning to control yourself.  It takes the 'reaction' element out of it and makes you think more.  Thinking is next to controlling------  if you are starting to get yellow (agitated) and you know what comes next----  you might be motivated to do things to go  back to blue (just right/calm).  

Next step is strategizing about what she can do to not go to the next section in the thermometer and return to the calm point.  Strategies can include things like----  taking a breather.  Having a designated spot or activity to go to to calm oneself in which you or no one can bother her and she can just go to pull herself together is good.  Other strategies are physical things like square breathing (breath in for 4, hold 4, breathe out for 4, hold 4, repeat), opening closing fists really firmly, counting, going for a walk, hitting the kick boxing bag (get one, they are great), etc.  She can keep a journal and go write in that to get the anger out. These alternatives to just reacting are what she should strive for to calm herself rather than just going with base level reactions to things.  She may need to be taught this all over again or may have always had trouble with it and it could be part of why she turned to drugs (many with anger/depression/ anxiety---  do turn to substance abuse to cope).  

If it continues, you may find yourself becoming resentful of her behavior.  This would be natural.  At that point, I'd seek some couples counseling to try to help.  It may be a situation in which she doesn't improve and then I think you will need to take stalk of this relationship.  It is hard to walk on egg shells with someone that easily gets out of control.  It can be a difficult life with them.  

Peace and good luck

[sweetmomma_7]

I agree with what the last person just said. I don't believe its the methadone I believe its her trying to recover. I am on suboxone (which is just like methadone)  I found that suboxone works better than the methadone.  However,everyone is different.  It takes alot for a person to realize that they need help, and then it takes alot for that person to actually get the help. Help her through this. Things will get better. She is going to have those days where she is all over the place with emotions. I had to do it by myself. Again, hang in there it will get better.

[Londres70]

I wouldn't say the Methadone is causing her to act erratic; would say it is related to she is a recovering Heroin crack addict.  

Usually drug addicts have underlying mental issues.  Do you know if she has been diagnosed with one?