FAQ: Why Is Methadone So Dangerous?

Comments

May 11, 2008 at 11:45 am

(1) Lora says:

Methadone belongs to the opioid family of drugs. It is used most commonly to treat dependence on other opioid drugs such as heroin, codeine and morphine. Opium poppy is where lab Chemists get majority of the substance from. Pure methadone is a white crystalline powder. The powder is dissolved, usually in a fruit-flavoured drink, and is taken orally once a day.
It was to be used during the Second World War and was first used to provide pain relief. Since then it has led to an increase in the number of users and has caused many deaths.
Methadone is a dangerous drug by itself or in combination with sedatives and other drugs.

The cost/benefits should be assessed before undergoing treatment with methadone, as it is a dangerous drug with a very high potential for abuse and dependence.

I am strongly against this “substitute” drug and feel that you should not use another drug to get over your current drug problem.

Methadone maintenance is not a “cure”!!!

Lora

http://www.drug-rehab.ca/

August 4, 2008 at 4:02 pm

(2) Nate Riley says:

Wow Lora,
You and this whole page are so incorrect methadone is some what dangerous but heroin addicts looking for a fix are much more harmful to themselves and others with out methadone it fills the opioid receptors so the person can function and stay clear of people who use or sell ,things which trigger cravings and avoid places like drug spots or places of prior use. I must say most of the deaths from methadone are caused by the people abusing it and I understand the family and loved ones of the dead wanting to blame methadone but one thing you learn in any rehab or AA and Al ANON is take responsibility don’t blame others or blame the drug you took it bought it and found the dealer. Methadone clinics are one of the greatest things on this planet they serve the poor and rich with equal treatment they take overwhelming precautions (I am sure that there are bad ones but few)I am an Addict and out patient and in patient along with suboxone did not stop my use but taught me what to do when clean after my first dose of methadone I have been clean 2 years the other treatment took 2 years too and I learned what to do to stop and how to stay sober but I did not have sustained sobriety till methadone. All the treatments were worth it they all gave me tools for sobriety but methadone allowed me to be clean and some people say I traded one opioid for another It is but with methadone I can’t get AIDS or get arrested or be shot when getting robbed and methadone is socially acceptable and you are not ostracized (Fair no) and most of all you do not cause your family pain. Methadone may not be a cure but is the best damn weapon to fight long term heroin addiction. Lora’s post is and Advertisement so disregard it if you want to know the truth.

March 3, 2009 at 5:44 am

(3) Alex says:

First, Nate, congratulations: for reclaiming your life !!!! And Lora, my sincere sympathy if you have lost a dear one to that drug
However, the 2 distinct uses of Methadone 1-Pain relief and 2-Detox warrant distinct discussions. The dosage itself is manyfolds different for the two uses. Info on Methadone which weights both good and bad is widely available e.g.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methadone
True, some deaths have been attributed to Methadone used for pain relief, and was NOT because the patient misused the prescription.
Numerous other cases (including anecdotally my 90year old grand father) have been pain free without adverse effect. And for detox, my main concern is the atrocious pain of methadone withdrawal and the fact that it is too often forced on the user either by policy, or for financial reasons (esp in the US). I wonder: is clean legal heroin in a controlled environment more toxic than methadone ? I have no idea. But such questions ought to be addressed without the moral righteousness too often prevailing on such topics…