Heroin Treatment: Methadone Facts

Question: What is substitute treatment in heroin treatment?

(Posted by: on 2011-01-31 23:06:30)

I am currently writing my dissertation on prescription heroin as a treatment method and have come across the phrase substitute treatment, I can't find a definition anywhere and need to know whether this means methadone or prescribed heroin? Thank you!

Posted by: Mathieu on 2011-02-01, 00:01:30

Typically substitute treatment refers to using methadone or buprenorphine not Heroin (diacetylmorphine aka diamorphine) or other opioids. The word substitute, by definition, mean to put (a person or thing) in the place of another thus one can't substitute Heroin for Heroin although it can be argued that prescription Heroin (which is pharmaceutical grade) is a substitute for street Heroin. However in general substitution treatment refers only to methadone or buprenorphine. Currently in The United Kingdom, The United States, and Canada Subutex (buprenorphine)- not available in Canada, Suboxone (buprenorphine/ naloxone), and Dolophine (methadone) are approved as substitution treatment for opioid drug dependence, within framework of medical, social and psychological treatment. The addition of naloxone to buprenorphine in Suboxone is intended to deter intravenous misuse of the drug.

Posted by: Skitzoid Me on 2011-01-31, 23:08:11

Marijuana that you can drink (bhang, in India)

Posted by: MariaMay on 2011-01-31, 23:12:22

Methadone and they also use suboxone as a substitute treatment. These medication do not provide the "high " of the heroin but fill the receptor to keep the patient from going into withdrawal

Posted by: vee on 2011-01-31, 23:20:12

Try alternative chinese medicine. acupuncture , herbal remedies, etc.

Posted by: Londo Mol on 2011-01-31, 23:42:04

Not having the context makes it very difficult. I assume, however, that 'substitute treatment' requires a 'substitute' - in this case a gradual change to methadone injections leading to the provision of linctus.

Posted by: FTW on 2011-02-04, 13:36:23

Methadone or suboxone...