methadone

[BroSantino]

Over time, when you become addicted to methadone, you can experience withdrawal symptoms like diarrhea, fever, seizures, tearing and more and more serious symptoms like depression, suicidal tendencies, adreal fatigue, insomnia, and panic disorders.

[markedman]

But I've heard that withdrawal symptoms from methadone is less severe than heroin.

[singular]

That's true... but while it's less severe it lasts for a long time!

[friedchicken]

I think it's ironic that you need something addictive to combat another addiction. It's like counter-intuitive isn't it. The fact that methadone is a lesser evil than heroin or morphine doesn't justify it!

[DocMon]

I agree it's like giving candies to diabetics after you wean them off chocolates!

[loveofanime]

First of all I'd like to reply that methadone isn't a cure, it's a treatment option for opiate abusers. Second of all I don't always agree with methadone as it can be viewed as trading one drug for another, but I have found that there are those it has helped. It has saved some lives, and also it terms of an abuser who is a woman finding out that they are pregnant can most often be a safe alternative for them and their unborn child rather than continuing shooting, snorting, or popping drugs. Of course not taken off the streets, but going to an actual facility creating a treatment plan, and than working towards that goal of sobriety. My main concern is how many clinics actually help those work towards that goal? I felt as though the clinic I attended just wanted money and tried to keep patients on for as long as they could. To me that isn't right and there is not justification for getting into the business of helping people if it's purely to gain profit.

Yes methadone is addictive and can be abused, how it is abused is someone takes more than they are suppose to... The withdrawal symptoms are suppose to be less harsh but last almost a month. It basically feels like you have a horrible cold, or the flu for a month.

[BrianMc21]

Originally Posted by friedchicken

I....doesn't justify it!

Why doesn't methadone being the lesser evil make it unjustified?

I was a pretty high functioning IV heroin addict working full time in a white collar job even got a promotion while using daily but eventually it is too costly and it controls my life more than I would like.

I started taking done and it has been great for me. I only have to dose once a day there are no nod or w/ds I just feel normal like everyone else and my life is manageable and I am extremely productive. I feel better than I did when I was sober for over a year because the done helps with my mood/anxiety and cravings.

I don't see anything wrong with staying on MMT for life because the last thing you want to do is push yourself to taper too fast and relapse. I plan to taper off, I don't blame people for not wanting to because it is a risk and if MMT works really well with your cravings it seem pointless to torture yourself because of a dumb stigma.