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Posted by: emmeline on 2010-02-09, 16:06:57
NO! And sadly, this is a common misunderstanding that leads to prejudice and discrimination, with people even going so far as to think that methadone clinics are giving out methamphetamine to their patients. Methadone is a synthetic opioid painkiller that has been around since WWII. It is used to treat pain and as a treatment for opioid addiction. It does NOT cause a high or euphoria in stable patients, though it CAN be abused recreationally--however, due to it's slow crossing of the blood-brain barrier it is usually not a first choice as a recreational drug. Methamphetamine, on the other hand, is a stimulant. In it's pharmaceutical form it can be used to treat ADHD and Narcolepsy. It is also made on the street by amatuer "chemists " and sold as a drug of abuse. It has the opposite effect of methadone--it causes rapid heartbeat, increases blood pressure, and can be quite dangerous to your health if misused. It often causes "meth mouth "--a decay of the dental enamel and teeth--and skin lesions. Users can experience paranoid ideas and extreme talkativeness. These medications are NOT the same, and though people do use the term "meth " to describe both, it is greatly preferred to use the word "methadone " when referring to the former to avoid confusion with the latter. |
