Methadone Treatment: Methadone Detox Facts

Question: Has anyone out there gone through or know anyone who has gone through methadone treatment for drug addiction?

(Posted by: jay on 2007-05-25 08:37:23)

My friend's son is addicted to heroin. They are desperate to get help for him and unfortunately he has no insurance. Any information would be helpful. Thanks.

Posted by: kittykat on 2007-05-25, 09:28:24

I have a friend who's husband is addicted to opiates and he started going to a methadone clinic. That was 4 years ago and he is still going!! I've seen her loose her car, home and now she is in jeopardy of loosing her children because of her husband's addiction to now Methadone. I just don't see how using one drug to get someone off of another drug can be useful. I've read alot of the times where people using Methadone overdoses because they mix the methadone with other narcotics such as anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs. Have her do some more in depth research on the pros and cons of Methadone. I've read it can be useful if administered properly. I've also heard the dangers when people are buying and selling methadone on the street, this is where is can be lethal.

Posted by: pegbabb on 2007-05-25, 09:58:19

I totally agree with the other question that gave you advice on methadone. At one point in my life, I was taking methadone. Along with that I was taking the Fentyl "lollipos " I suffered with chronic headache pain and very severe depression, which I took an antidepressant. Sometimes I would take percocet. For anxiety it was Klonipin. It was horrible, I decided that I was going down a deadly path, told my doctor and explained that I was abusing and could no longer take the issues that comes along. I went into rehab and detoxiced. That was a horrible time, after leaving the hospital, the withdrawals kept me on the couch for about 2 weeks. I beleive that methadone is good for an aide for addiction, but it should be monitored very closely. The person has to be honest and have therapy with the methadone treatment. I realise that all situations are different. Has your friend decided to go into drug rehab, the hospital will be able to help with the withdrawal from the heroin and to help administer the methadone. I hope this has helped you and your friend. As far as the insurance, he may want to seek advice from a crisis intervention. The hospital is legally binded to get your friend stable and the follow-up care that he needs. A social worker will probably be assigned to help him to get the medical assistance after he leaves the hospital. Even if he should not accept going into the hospital, the social worker would set him up with the help that he needs.

Posted by: Leneki on 2007-05-25, 10:36:46

You know what?? I'm on methadone, and in a way, these two answer ahead of me are somewhat trueful. It's true, your husband is definitly gonna have to want to stop if he gets on methadone. I have been on it for six years.And to tell you the truth it saved my life.I was addicted to pain pills, and I had gotten to the point where the only way out for me would be death. I thought of suicide constanitly.I could'nt go on living that way. I talked to a crisis nurse at the hospital and they put me in the mental ward. I started looking thru the phone book, not really knowing what I was looking for, when this institute popped up in my face. It read that it was suppose to help people addicted to opiates. Well I flew ti the phone.It cost me alot to get into that program but I quit my job I had and they to me to sign up at the health department.There I got on methadone and it is not costing me anything. I dont know what state your in, but do they have clinics there?? Make some calls around and see where you can get help. And like I said before, this person is really gonna have to want to stop using when and if he gets on the program. Because he can do what those two other people said.Methadone is not a joke.They say when your on methadone that you are just substituting one drug for another,that could be, but i tell you what, this drug saved my life and has been doing so the last 6 yrs . If not I would have been dead.Hope this helps a little. If you want to know more please e-mail me at:klinedarlene@yahoo.com