Methadone program

[Elizabeth]

I have been addicted to hydrocodone for over 2 yrs, my doctors wnat me to start going to a methadone clinic to start the "program". I guess my question in this, they have told me that it is a possibility that this is somthing that I may have to do for the rest of my life!! The doctors say my brain does not make enough endorphins, and without some kind of opiate in my system,now that I have had them, I will never be able to go totally without them. I found this so hard to understand, and they tried explaining it to me by comparing it to a diabetic. Is it safe for someone to live thier entire life with a daily dose of opiates in thier system and not have some kind if damage done to thier body? I know this is kind of long but, I need any info. I can get I have about 4 days to make this decision!!! Thanks to anyone that can give any comments.

[Laura Nieves]

I have a brother who is addicted to Heroin and every drug that he is able to get his hands on for approximately 20 years. He is not willing to go into a rehab program because its a waste of time. So he decided to enter into the methadone program, which methadone is worst, it is the worst drug to get out of. As a grown man he made his decision, every morning he gets up and goes to the clinic drinks his methadone, and around miday he is looking for something esle. His dosage is up to 120, and with that much dosage he still shoots up. The clinic is suppose to check his urine periodically, and if they find his urine dirty they raise his dosage. What type of program is that. The methadone program is for those who are willing to help themselves not give them an overdose. That is exactly what will happen, using all these drugs at the same time. People who have drug problems do not have a stable mind, all they want is to get stoned, they don't care how much drugs they consume, they just want more and more.

As a sister and a mother, if you are able to get into a rehab program with a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 1 year depending how addicted you are, you should go for it. The methadone is another drug which you will depend on your whole life. I ask you to please think about it first, and try to get the proper help you need, remember your life can be better without any type of drugs. I know its easier to say, since i never had a drug problem, but i have been around these circumstances for 20 years, and I know exactly what you are going through, so if you can find a different type of help then the methadone, please go for it, you will feel better knowing that you are drug free.

May God Bless you and help you.

[annabelle]

ELIZABETH - Thank God you took time to talk with others. There
are other alternatives!  The drugs a lot of these serious users
use are problems in and of themselves, but are not the "root"
problems - just a "surface symptom" of other more grevious issues
going on in these folks bodies, minds and spirits.  Most are truly sick in their souls.  What is your relation to these drugs
you take?  Only God and you know what's really eating at your
soul.  He's been with you since you were born.  He has the
personal "spec." book on Elizabeth!!!  For some people, they are
deeply involved in activities that wear away at their personal
character or that are Biblically offensive to God.  Some folks
feel they have no personal worth - they just believe the reviews
of others.  Their sense of self worth has to be based on their
dress, cloths, social standing, performance, etc... Elizabeth,
you have a right to be!!!  THERE IS A PLACE IN THIS WORLD FOR YOU!!!  And God designated it to you.  His love is 100% non-per-
formance based.  He loves you "unconditionally"!  Also, He can
give your life meaning and direction-remember, "without a vision,
the people perish.  Consider a spiritual dimension to the physical, mental, emotional, medical and psychological,etc...

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

If you read our posts carefully you will see we recommended against Elizabeth getting on methadone as a maintainence medication (as opposed to a detox medication).  The reasons for our advice against the methadone maintainence in her case is contained in our posts.  Certainly an addict has limitations depending on the doctors or treatment centers available.  However, no one can make an addict accept going on a medication for life, which is what her doctor was recommending.

[Michelle]

I'm annoyed with people telling this woman things like, 'Don't get on methadone, get on a buprenorphine detox,' as if she could just walk down to the corner store and pick up some buprenorphine.  Unfortunately, addicts (and others) are constrained by what is available. In my case, I am addicted to a huge amount of codeine, and the only treatment available to me is methadone, or detox with lofexidine, which helps with withdrawal symptoms, but by no means iradicates them. I chose not to take the methadone, although that is what the doctor wanted me to do. Not only was it his opinion that methadone was the best choice, but also, it was *policy*. He simply *could not* prescribe anything else even if he wanted to. People on the internet told me, too - 'get on buprenorphine, get another doctor.' Well, I live in England and here you must take the addiction center based on where you live. I imagine the situation is even worse in America (I am American) with HMOs, managed care, etc. who make decisions about patients based *only* on financial considerations, and not on what the patient actually needs.
Because of the constraints of what's available, in both countries, one must make a decision based on what one can actually get, rather that what one would want if you had the choice.

[michele]

I'm annoyed with people telling this woman things like, 'Don't get on methadone, get on a buprenorphine detox,' as if she could just walk down to the corner store and pick up some buprenorphine.  Unfortunately, addicts (and others) are constrained by what is available. In my case, I am addicted to a huge amount of codeine, and the only treatment available to me is methadone, or detox with lofexidine, which helps with withdrawal symptoms, but by no means iradicates them. I chose not to take the methadone, although that is what the doctor wanted me to do. Not only was it his opinion that methadone was the best choice, but also, it was *policy*. He simply *could not* prescribe anything else even if he wanted to. People on the internet told me, too - 'get on buprenorphine, get another doctor.' Well, I live in England and here you must take the addiction center based on where you live. I imagine the situation is even worse in America (I am American) with HMOs, managed care, etc. who make decisions about patients based *only* on financial considerations, and not on what the patient actually needs.
Because of the constraints of what's available, in both countries, one must make a decision based on what one can actually get, rather that what one would want if you had the choice.

[michele]

I'm annoyed with people telling this woman things like, 'Don't get on methadone, get on a buprenorphine detox,' as if she could just walk down to the corner store and pick up some buprenorphine.  Unfortunately, addicts (and others) are constrained by what is available. In my case, I am addicted to a huge amount of codeine, and the only treatment available to me is methadone, or detox with lofexidine, which helps with withdrawal symptoms, but by no means iradicates them. I chose not to take the methadone, although that is what the doctor wanted me to do. Not only was it his opinion that methadone was the best choice, but also, it was *policy*. He simply *could not* prescribe anything else even if he wanted to. People on the internet told me, too - 'get on buprenorphine, get another doctor.' Well, I live in England and here you must take the addiction center based on where you live. I imagine the situation is even worse in America (I am American) with HMOs, managed care, etc. who make decisions about patients based *only* on financial considerations, and not on what the patient actually needs.
Because of the constraints of what's available, in both countries, one must make a decision based on what one can actually get, rather that what one would want if you had the choice.