Methadone Treatment

[eagleeyes]

perhaps rehab programs should program folks to believe they can kick their habits once and for all rather than plant the seed they they will 'always be addicts' perhaps they really don't want them to quit for good as their business depends on junkies to relapse and go back into 'treatment'
i have heard many stories of addicts being cured with ibogaine or ayahuasca in a matter of one or few sessions. i find it interesting the united states prohibits this kind of treatment which seems to get really good results by way of getting junkies off junk, alcoholics off booze, cig smokers off smoking and so on and so forth as well as cure once and for all many other mental and physical ailments...seems big pharma makes too much money not curing folks so they not interested in real cures and would rather just prescribe bandages/drugs to cover the symptoms for life

[BC1]

For rehab purposes I agree once a addict always a addict. However as I said once your on methadone your not a addict anymore as it is a prescription. The people I have delt with all agree on this. Once your in treatment your not addicted to a drug UNLESS you start taking no prescribed drugs again. The question on the 4473 is ARE you not where you. The medications prescribed to you by a doctor are privileged and not applicable to the 4473. As it is ILLEGAL for a doctor to prescribe a drug the patient is addicted to. Also Methadone has almost ZERO "intoxicating" effects for the majority of users.

This is the complete opposite of what any addiction counselor will teach.

1. Once an addict, always an addict. That is how it's taught in rehab.

2. There are exeptions under federal law whereby the government can sidestep HIPAA privacy and obtain medical information. Examples of this are when guns and drugs mix or the VA will reporting a suicidal veteran who owns guns.

3. It is not illegal for a doctor to prescribe a drug that someone has been addicted to in the past. Someone injured in an auto accident will not be denied pain medications due to a past addiction. The doctor must act in the interest of the patient and medical necessity. Each state is different but similar in their laws.

[eagleeyes]

perhaps that is precisely why most going to those programs become dependent on the programs for life rather than learn to quit without being lifetime program members? perhaps is reason many fall of their sober wagons as well?
many folks go to vancouver or south america to cure themselves of addictions with a much much higher rate of success than enrolling in the drug rehab programs in the usa......'MAPS' have conducted many experiments with addicts with great success rates getting folks of junk and other addictive drugs using majick mushrooms ayahuasca and ibogaine.... unlike many who join aa or na programs for years only to continue falling back off and on the wagon whereas traditional cures are documented to have much higher success rates
at any rate again best wishes to all who have fallen to unhealthy addictions

[BC1]

From the CDC...

Methadone: Problems

Although it is less addictive than heroin or morphine, methadone is still highly addictive. It doesn’t produce the quality ‘high’ that other narcotics do, but it has to be tightly regulated so it doesn’t become a problem with naïve users. Methadone can serve as a ‘gateway’ drug for the narcotic class. It is also dangerous in combination with many other drugs that act on the central nervous system, especially alcohol or barbiturates.

Many addicts do not like methadone and will return to heroin when they are able to procure a new supply. Methadone may be a way to extend an addiction rather than forcing an addict to undergo withdrawal. This is why dispensing of methadone to narcotic dependent patients has to occur along with an approved treatment program. Typically, patients will be tested to make sure they aren’t using heroin ‘on the side’.

The side effects of methadone are problematic. Patients may be refused employment because a job requires mental alertness or the operation of heavy machinery. There are also the social consequences of methadone use – while heroin use may be concealed, if an insurance company is paying for methadone treatment, it is quite likely an employer or others will find out.

[eagleeyes]

don't make sense to me to put herion addicts on methadone imo

[maine04619]

From the CDC... Methadone: Problems Although it is less addictive than heroin or morphine, methadone is still highly addictive. It doesn’t produce the quality ‘high’ that other narcotics do, but it has to be tightly regulated so it doesn’t become a problem with naïve users. Methadone can serve as a ‘gateway’ drug for the narcotic class. It is also dangerous in combination with many other drugs that act on the central nervous system, especially alcohol or barbiturates. Many addicts do not like methadone and will return to heroin when they are able to procure a new supply. Methadone may be a way to extend an addiction rather than forcing an addict to undergo withdrawal. This is why dispensing of methadone to narcotic dependent patients has to occur along with an approved treatment program. Typically, patients will be tested to make sure they aren’t using heroin ‘on the side’. The side effects of methadone are problematic. Patients may be refused employment because a job requires mental alertness or the operation of heavy machinery. There are also the social consequences of methadone use – while heroin use may be concealed, if an insurance company is paying for methadone treatment, it is quite likely an employer or others will find out.

Methadone that is used for weening folks off heroin is the most regulated drug in the USA. However when used for pain it is the same as every other opiate. Methadone does not give the high and in the majority of folks it gives NO side effects at all. This is why so many people with chronic pain use it. The treatment folks get less and less a dosage over time. The main reason for the use of the drug is to avoid withdraw. Withdraw for a long term heroin addict can be very bad.

[NotTwoShure]

To the issue of pain management, I shall not throw rocks at anyone who is in sever and constant pain. Having a titanium insert in my lumbar region, stenosis and various other old age issues I have dealt with pain via the V.A. pain clinic. The two anti-inflammatory drugs that keep me out of a wheel chair, gabapentin and ibuprofen in prescription strength does the job for me. Someone with severe pain is certainly not going to forgo the relief offered. That is not a problem and I am not my brother’s keeper. This issue is between this person, his doctor and his conscience, at this time. However I do ask the question of why anyone would come to this forum and seek advice only an attorney is able to give concerning federal drug and gun laws. Think?

[maine04619]

However I do ask the question of why anyone would come to this forum and seek advice only an attorney is able to give concerning federal drug and gun laws. Think?

Cause it is the internet. That is what it is here for...

[NotTwoShure]

Cause it is the internet. That is what it is here for...

Yup, you are correct. I guess it is why I am here also, kind of a fly on the wall type of deal. OK, thanks, each perspective give food for thought. I appreciate the feedback.

[Shield06]

This thread is full of bull ****. All of you should stop while your ahead. My brother was a heroin addict annd passed away 3 weeks ago. They are people. They arent all scumbags. .