Opiate Addiction: Methadone Facts

Question: What do you think about using methadone for opiate addiction?

(Posted by: jessica on 2007-10-04 18:45:36)

It works wonderfully for my herion addiction and I don't want to go off of it since I know I'd immediately start using again. So many people consider it a "heroin substitute ". However, I DO NOT get high on it and it is medically controlled so when taken correctly, there is little risk of an overdose. Not to mention all the awful things that go along with heroin addiction like the risk of contaminated needles, drugs laced with deadly substances, doing illegal things to get your "fix ", and the fact that you will eventually end up dead or in prison. The problem is that I still have problems with alcohol and cocaine and methadone DOESN'T help with those addictions. I want to get help for all my substance problems but almost all rehabs are VERY AGAINST Methadone. I don't want to be on Methadone the rest of my life. I will eventually wean myself off (VERY SLOWLY) so that I don't get sick (it is addictive like heroin). Any thoughts about this? Please be kind. This is rough!

Posted by: jdnmsedsacrasac1 on 2007-10-04, 18:52:56

I'm not really sure if you can mix it with the methadone or not but Revia (Naltrexone) can help with the cravings for both opiates and alcohol. You may want to ask the clinic where you get the methadone. And go to an NA and AA meeting. You can find local meetings at aa.org and na.org One day at a time.

Posted by: Useful Idiot on 2007-10-04, 18:55:17

I understand why you would be on it if you're trying to kick herion, but I would definatly try and wean myself off of down the road. I watched my mom almost die b/ c she overdosed on Methadone (she wasn't taking medically controlled doses however). People are weary about it b/ c it is a really strong drug. Not if you're taking for your reasons, but b/ c retarded people want to get high (it happens) and take too much. It's cool that you are trying to kick the habit. Very smart. Best wishes.

Posted by: Pookeygirl on 2007-10-04, 19:02:17

I work in a pharmacy that has a methadone clinic. It is all prescribed by doctors and monitored. It is definitely helpful to get people off of opiates without having to go through the horrendous withdrawal. The problem with using the other substances that you mentioned, is that you could overdose. It is hard to get help with so many addictions and people and places that help don't treat addicts very well. It isn't fair and I do hope you can find a treatment center that does understand the use of methadone as a way to help. It is not a heroin substitute and if monitored properly, methadone clinics can be quite successful. I am not an expert, but wish you luck because it sounds like you have quite a cocktail of products being used. If you are using methadone in a controlled way, do they not check urine for other substances? All I can say is that if you really want to get away from the other stuff, maybe speak to whoever is helping with the heroine addiction. Hang in there. It does sound rough and I empathise with you.

Posted by: Mr. Meat on 2007-10-04, 19:46:41

I can understand your frustration. I'm not sure where you are but you MIGHT be able to find a program that would allow you to continue with the methadone program, but I doubt it. You would really be a bad example to have in rehab with other. Although I can say most rehabs correctly address "chemical dependence/ abuse'. In other words they don't see separate "substances ". Which is correct. The same dynamics that drive your heroin use also drives your other drug use. Your use is quite interesting ... a downer, an upper and the ETOH to bring you down. My sense is you are not at a place where you are willing to do what you have to do to live drug free.

Posted by: ghost on 2007-10-07, 15:13:13

The fact that it works for you does not impress me. Methadone is worse to come off of than heroin. Get the N.A. Big book, go to N.A. meetings and get completely clean off of all drugs. That is the only advice I can morally give you.