Methadone Maintenance

[fuckin crazy]

scott is a junkie. He's probably on methadone.

Just curious, are you one of those people who think that methadone maintenance clinics should be closed, or was that some kind of derogative statement born of ignorance?

although they are a form a legal heroin and its a pretty ridiculous unregulated industry

You just proved your ignorance. Methadone Maintenance is one of the most heavily regulated institutions in the country. It's rigidity is comparable to a Parole Office.

and "legal heroin", what the hell does that mean. Heroin is an organic compound; methadone is synthetic. I am assuming your argument is that all prescribed opiates are "legal heroin".

and a horrible route to take for someone who needs treatment.

Once again, your ignorance of methadone maintenance is apparent. Maintenance clinics have given many the ability to return to a productive life.

I have a lot of experience with methadone, and actually a friends girlfriend died of a methadone overdose.

I have a suspicion that that is the extent of your experience. The vast majority of fatalities associated with methadone are the result of Dolophine overdose that has been diverted from the original holder of the prescription. Dolophine is prescribed by healthcare providers for pain relief, not methadone clinics.

Wow that last part is completely incorrect. Eventually one can build up a tolerance to methadone, and at that point it may not be sedating and intoxicating, but Methadone is definately a powerful narcotic, a sedative, an opiate. It is a legal form of heroin basically. This is coming from someone with a lot of personal "experience"

Once ones dose is stabilized, there are no side effects. Usually takes about a month for it to happen.

first of all, how is this for "unregulated". Several years ago when I decided to go on methadone maint. I found a clinic here in Arizona. ALL I had to do was show up for intake at 4AM with $70 and someone who could "verify" I had a one year opiate addiction. All they did is ask my friend if this was true and he said yes. I could have brought in a transient off the street, and still would have been dosed that day. Second, the nurses who dose you each day will bump your dose 10mg per day based on your word that the dose was not strong enough. Because of this, someone who needs 30-40mg, can easily get over 100mg in about a week and be nodding out all over the place fucked up. As rigid as a parole office? Get real. By legal heroin, which was the wrong term to use, I meant people who are tired of copping heroin, they can get high legally by getting on methadone. Once you develop a tolerance, you just tell them to bump up your dose. They always did for me. As far as returning to a normal life, that may be true to an extent, but its taking the easy way out, IMO. BTW the "extent" of my experience with methadone? I was on it for several years, detoxed cold turkey, eventually got on it for another 2 years, detoxed with suboxone, and have been clean now for about 2 years. All of my 5 or 6 friends who descended into heroin addiction are now on methadone or dead. One gave his girlfriend some of his dose and she died. Anyways, Im rambling, but all my opinions are based upon my own experience. I think methadone maint is terrible for the most part

[fuckin crazy]

first of all, how is this for "unregulated". Several years ago when I decided to go on methadone maint. I found a clinic here in Arizona. ALL I had to do was show up for intake at 4AM with $70 and someone who could "verify" I had a one year opiate addiction.

They probably did several tests, i.e, pupil dilation, sweaty palms, blood pressure, a battery of questions, and others. If they didn't, they were in violation of federal law.

 

All they did is ask my friend if this was true and he said yes. I could have brought in a transient off the street, and still would have been dosed that day.

Conceivably, anyone could not be truthful during the admittance procedure. That is what the test are there for. Besides, one would be committing a Felony by fraudulently obtaining the service by not being truthful

 

Second, the nurses who dose you each day will bump your dose 10mg per day based on your word that the dose was not strong enough. Because of this, someone who needs 30-40mg, can easily get over 100mg in about a week and be nodding out all over the place fucked up.

And ones dose will stabilize. Most clinics have a cap at 100mg; to go higher, one has to see the MD.

 

As rigid as a parole office? Get real.

While the rules were relaxed 3 or 4 years ago, upon intake, one has to see a couselor once weekly, and provide random UAs once weekly. Without infractions, this is lessened. As I'm sure you know.

 

By legal heroin, which was the wrong term to use, I meant people who are tired of copping heroin, they can get high legally by getting on methadone.

Once ones dose is stabilized, there is no side effects. Usually about a month.

 

Once you develop a tolerance, you just tell them to bump up your dose. They always did for me.

Everyone is different, but the dose will peak eventually. It sounds like you never stabilized.

 

As far as returning to a normal life, that may be true to an extent, but its taking the easy way out, IMO.

Exactly, that is your opinion. Mine is different. Who says detoxing has to be a more horrible painful experience ... if it doesn't has to be.

BTW the "extent" of my experience with methadone? I was on it for several years, detoxed cold turkey, eventually got on it for another 2 years, detoxed with suboxone, and have been clean now for about 2 years.

Great, that is something to be proud of.

 

All of my 5 or 6 friends who descended into heroin addiction are now on methadone or dead. One gave his girlfriend some of his dose and she died.

I have lost 6 friends to that insidious disease over the last 2 years. 2 of those were my best friends that I had known for 30 years, So I know where you are coming from.

BEST OF LUCK my friend

[JMack]

Is it true that Methadone is more addicting than Heroin itself?  I've been told this by friends who have been addicted to both.

[fuckin crazy]

^^They are both highly addictive. Heroin has a much shorter half-life, i.e., it is metabolized much quicker. Addiction to both produce morphine withdrawal syndrome.

The onset of the syndrome is quicker with heroin, but the duration is much longer with methadone. Heroin withdrawal usually last 7-10 days; methadone 30-90 days; depending of course on the severity of the addiction.

[OreGunsNRoses]

^^They are both highly addictive. Heroin has a much shorter half-life, i.e., it is metabolized much quicker. Addiction to both produce morphine withdrawal syndrome.

The onset of the syndrome is quicker with heroin, but the duration is much longer with methadone. Heroin withdrawal usually last 7-10 days; methadone 30-90 days; depending of course on the severity of the addiction.

yep. I can attest to that. Methadone withdawal=hell

[fuckin crazy]

^^They are both highly addictive. Heroin has a much shorter half-life, i.e., it is metabolized much quicker. Addiction to both produce morphine withdrawal syndrome.

The onset of the syndrome is quicker with heroin, but the duration is much longer with methadone. Heroin withdrawal usually last 7-10 days; methadone 30-90 days; depending of course on the severity of the addiction.

yep. I can attest to that. Methadone withdawal=hell

A lot of professionals say opiate withdrawal cannot kill you, to that I respond "Kurt Cobain". Too, there have been a couple of cases of women being in incarceration, in Fla, that died while going through withdrawal from methadone. The autopsy described it as a contributing cause.

Addiction Treatment Watchdog has a good forum that could probably benefit from your contributions. It is primarily addicts with a few professionals.

[OreGunsNRoses]

I didnt know about the cases about the women incarcerated dying from the w/d. That reminds me though, If someone has a valid prescription to be on methadone, the jail shouldn't be allowed to deny them their meds. Basically they end up having to be secluded from other inmates b/c they are maybe screaming, fidgeting, shitting themselves, etc. It seems inhumane

[fuckin crazy]

That reminds me though, If someone has a valid prescription to be on methadone, the jail shouldn't be allowed to deny them their meds.

I agree. Where I'm from, if you're on a private clinic, the jails won't dose you. If in over 30 days, and your on a government clinic, it is a mandatory detox;10mg/day. That is "cruel and unusual punishment".

[norway]

It's bad, don't touch it.

Methadone withdawal=hell

I have to say tho-
- if people are so stupid putting this trash into them and get addicted then they are less worthy beings and deserve no better.

[OreGunsNRoses]

It's bad, don't touch it.

Methadone withdawal=hell

I have to say tho-
- if people are so stupid putting this trash into them and get addicted then they are less worthy beings and deserve no better.

less worthy beings? Wow, Im speechless

[SLCPUNK]

It's bad, don't touch it.

Methadone withdawal=hell

I have to say tho-
- if people are so stupid putting this trash into them and get addicted then they are less worthy beings and deserve no better.

Well that's not very nice.

[fuckin crazy]

It's bad, don't touch it.

Methadone withdawal=hell

I have to say tho-
- if people are so stupid putting this trash into them and get addicted then they are less worthy beings and deserve no better.

I wonder. What are your opinions on Superiority Complex?

[norway]

Allright, "less worthty" is a stretch but there's no need with the off-topic personal jabs. I could go on forever telling about my opinions.
I mean it about drug-addictions, You reap what you saw.

There's nothing extraordinary with thinking and being responsible, junkies and dealers doesn't only do damage to themselfs either.

[fuckin crazy]

^Maybe the "jab" was a bit much, but I found your original post a bit condescending ... well a lot.

It is primarily the prohibitions that cause societal ills. People have always gotten "high", and they always will.

[SLCPUNK]

It is primarily the prohibitions that cause societal ills. People have always gotten "high", and they always will.

Yup.

[norway]

People have always gotten "high", and they always will.

Then I suggest people get high on something more healthy