Methadone Maintenance: Methadone Symptoms & Side Effects

Question: What is the general perception of individuals who are on methadone maintenance?

(Posted by: Stevie B on 2007-11-16 07:35:16)

Does the average American see methadone as a valid treatment method for heroin and other opiate addiction?

Posted by: Debra W on 2007-11-16, 07:52:53

Oh Steve, thanks for this one. I've always wanted to be an average American. Having worked in the mental health field for a number of years I can tell you that I have seen some great responses to methadone maintenance. Anyone that has seen or been drawn into the world of opiate addictions knows how all encompassing this addiction is. Life's primary focus becomes that next high and avoiding withdrawal at all cost. Many have been able to resume a degree of normalcy in their lives by complying with a methadone program. Granted, a lot of work remains to regain one's life after beginning a methadone program. Like any treatment, it's the work that you put into that gives you the chance to look beyond active addiction. As far as the general population's perception of methadone, who cares? It's your addiction..own it, get treatment for it and be at peace with the fact that you have made the best treatment choice for you.

Posted by: dookie_occurs on 2007-11-16, 07:44:40

The general perception is that those people are wasteoids, but are not as bad as those still riding the White Horse. Anything that gets people off heroin is good, in my book.

Posted by: sohabe on 2007-11-16, 07:46:53

I don't know about the average.. and i am not american, rather i am a canadian.. but i can tell you methadone is god sent to alleviate addicts from heroin use.. the problem with opiate addictions is that their body requires and widthdrawal can be deadly if not done correctly.. methadone is like taking heroin without getting high.. so methadone doesn't get you high to break that addiction and slowly breaks the opiate addiction therefore, it is very necessary

Posted by: Laureen K on 2007-11-16, 07:50:38

Maybe I'm not under the category of "average American " because I have a health care background, but in my opinion it is a valid treatment method. methadone treatment does not get the person high like heroin or other opiates would. It attaches to the receptors that need to be filled in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. For people who are seriously addicted, withdrawal symptoms can be unbearable and dangerous from a clinical perspective. The goal of methadone treatment is to eventually get the person off all drugs. For some they may be on it a lifetime. For others they may be able to eventually get off methadone. Methadone allows drug addicts to lead a functional life, when they may not have been able to previously. Also, with treatment, risks of blood born illness (hiv, hep B, C) decreases, because the person is no longer using needles. Methadone is a valid treatment and it is sad that not everybody views it as such.

Posted by: vinny on 2007-11-16, 07:56:40

I am on Methadone Maintenance.I see various reactions.Some automatically think you were a Heroin Junkie.Some think that is all Methadone is used for.I have been on it for 9 months, and have alot of side effects,some of which I worry about.Methadone is a really good pain killer, but the side effects should be told to people so they know exactly what they MIGHT be getting into.If you are on Methadone for Opiate addiction (everything BUT heroin) I think it is excellent, but again, the side effects.Vinny