Methadone Addiction

Methadone is a synthetic opiate, regular us can lead to addiction / dependency. Though sometimes used as a pain killer Methadone is generally used as a ‘maintenance programme’. A maintenance programme is designed to stop people from using illicit Heroin and live normal productive lives. Methadone maintenance programmes do remove the need for Heroin Addicts to buy and use Heroin, but the price to be paid is a more protracted and difficult withdrawal. Many would agree that a better way to treat an opiate addict is to prescribe a tapering dose of Buprenorphine or Lofexodine.

Methadone Pharmaceutical Name:

Methadone Hydrochloride.

Methadone Street Names:

Dollies, Amidone, Fizzie, Meth, Phy, Juice, Done, Jungle Juice, Metho

Methadone Trade Names:

Methadone, Dolophine, Methadose, Methadone Hydrochloride Intensol, Physeptone, Diskets,

Methadone Forms:

Methadone is available in an oral solution, tablet form and an injectable formulation. The preferred method of ingestion is oral drinking solution. Methadone Tablets are unlicensed for treatment of addiction in the UK and Injection form is only normally administered by specialist doctors.

Methadone Doses:

Street Heroin varies in it’s purity but as a general rule of thumb 1g of heroin is equivalent to 50mg to 80mg of Methadone Solution.

Methadone History:

Methadone was invented by the German Military in the late 1930’s admist fears that the war would make is more difficult to import Heroin into Germany for military and civilian use.

Methadone Side Effects Can Include:

Hypoventilation,Constipation, Increased sweating, heat intolerance, Chronic fatigue, sleepiness and exhaustion, Weight gain, Gynecomastia, Stomach pain. Dry mouth, Perspiration, Flushing, Itching, Difficulty urinating, Swelling of the hands, arms, Constricted pupils, Nausea, Low blood pressure, Hallucination, Headache, Vomiting, Cardiac arrhythmia, Anorexia, feet, and legs, Euphoria, Agitation, Mood changes, Blurred vision, Insomnia, Impotence, Skin rash and Seizures.

Methadone Overdose:

A methadone overdose can be fatal and would normally occur by taking a larger dose than subscribed. However overdose can also occur by mixing Methadone with other medications such as Oxycontin, Vicodin and Morphine.

Methadone Withdrawals:

Light-headedness, Tearing, Runny nose, Yawning, Sneezing, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Fever, Sweating, Chills, Tremors, Tachycardia, Aches and pains, often in the joints and/or legs, Elevated pain sensitivity, Elevated blood pressure, Suicidal ideation, Susceptibility to Cravings, Depression, Adrenal exhaustion, Adrenal fatigue, Spontaneous orgasm, Prolonged insomnia, Delirium, Auditory hallucinations, Visual hallucinations, Increased perception of odours (olfaction), real or imagined, Marked decrease in sex drive, Agitation, Anxiety, Panic disorder, Paranoia and Delusions.