Does Methadone really help prevent relapse?

[sharona97]

I wasn't sure where to post this question, so don't mean to step on any toes.

I have civally committed my son recently for depression, suicide attempt #2 and my new found awarness of his heavy heroin use.

I am concerned that Methadone may preempt relapse. He has chronic pain from a motorcycle accident 10 years ago. His addiction started with pain meds and then esclated to heroin.

His feedback to me is that on low doses of Methadone he can keep a quality of life that would be better for him. I don't know much about long-term use of Methadone if there is such a thing.

I'm just happy to have found him "barely" alive, and took him straight to the hospital.

Any helpful information concerning how Methadone works would be appreciated. How is a person weaned off of this?

Thanks,

Sharona:cry:

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good news sharona!

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

Hey Tweety,

Thanks so much.

Life sure does give us our ups and downs, eh?

You're post is soooooo appreciated, thank you.

Sharona

[chelebelle]

Thats great news....I hope all continues to go down this bright path for you & your family!

[jackstem]

Yes, it is a "replacement therapy", and whoever said you don't get the same intense high was lying, lol! It is not until you stabilize on the methadone that you do not get that intense high. I am in a Methadone Clinic, however, I am in the Methadone Detox program. I know that my recovery does not start until I am discharged from the clinic. But, it is a better option for some people like me, simply because by trying to quit cold-turkey (in a sense), it is basically like signing a paper saying "i'm taking a vacation from my drug use, and will return on such&such day...." You know what I mean? This is a way for me to lay the foundation to the start of a successful recovery....and in no way do I consider myself "off drugs". I have a more realistic perception of this program than a lot of people who are also in it.

Well said Chelebelle. Unfortunately many clinics never make the attempt to wean the individual from the methadone. (Why would I ant to wean my clients off of my product?) In some instances this is undoubtedly the only way the addict will stop abusing heroin or other opioids and function in the real world. I see this in the same way some chronic pain patients will require opioids for the rest of their life in order to participate in "activities of daily living". But that should be the LAST choice. No one should have to go "cold turkey" when they enter treatment, especially with some of the newer medications available...that is simply inhumane. But to keep someone on replacement therapy without ever trying to help them become abstinent isn't appropriate. Of course, that's my never to be humble opinion, and we all know what they say about opinions.

Jack

[jackstem]

God is good!

Sharona

Yes He is!!!!

Jack

[exnursie]

This is a topic that I initially viewed as not 'real" recovery, under any circumstance. I am more open minded today, and see this differently than most who have shared their views.

If the definition of addiction is based on DSM IV, the people who are taking methadone, or suboxone as prescribed, don't fit as addicts or dependants.

http://www.tcnj.edu/~sa/adep/factsheets/dsm2.htm

I applaud every person who has sucessfully escaped from the hell of active addiction and are productive members of society.

I don't care how they succeeded, and it certainly isn't my job, or place to evaluate their level of success, or refuse to accept people who take the "road less traveled" as being in recovery.

Where does it say that total abstinance from drugs is how 'real" recovery is determined?

I have many points to use here, but will start with the basic oppostion.

Lets say you know someone and they are well respected, productive members of society and they are active in AA and have been out of the hell of active addiction for 5 yrs. you discover that they are on methadone and have been for 5 yrs. If I read people views correctly, this new info now places them in the category of active addicts?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

It is indeed a controversal subject; when one substitutes addictions does that constitute recovery? I doubt this group or any group of people are going to come to a concensus regardless of what professional literature and groups think, because we all are going to have opinions.

Here is my opinion. Getting someone off an illegal street drug and all the danger that entails and putting them on methadone is a good thing. It's step towards recovery. So to me, this person on methodone is not an "addict" but a person in recovery.

However, I'm with Jack in that the ulitimate goal should be a drug free existence and this person should be on a tapering program. I'm not an expert whatsoever and I have no idea what it's like to be on a methodone program, (and I know the clientele can be a tough and beligerent manipulative bunch) but more than once I've encountered people on megadoses of methodone like 240 mg and 160 mg a day and they've been on these doses for years, one guy over 15 years. How is that helping a person live a drug free existence free from the bondage of addiction? How is that spending my tax dollars wisely?

That's my two cents. We all are going to have two cents and it's up to us to listen to each others opinions with respect, knowing some of us are going to agree to disagree.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

Ya know I went round and round in my brain about this methdone deal, hence my post...

I was really worried for my son TO start methadone and I was REALLY worried about what could happen if he didn't.

As it turned out, yes he did get methadone during his 3rd hospitalization for 9 days. Then when he went to the committment hearing and thus that day placed into a halfway house (pending an available bed in the tx program) he was without the methadone for days.

While in the halfway house, he was 10 blocks away from where he scored. We found $300 in his wallet. And he never walked and to my knowledge has not used Herion since 07/05.

He was placed in another halfway house after the in patient treatment program and relapsed one time on oxycontin. Like he said I now consider who I get a ride with...

He's been clean since, still in out patient treatment until January.

So I guess my point is this: D was so concerned about beibg in pain the rest of his life..totally fixated on drug, pain,drug,pain....that much to my surprise and of course answers to my prayers, D is not on any narc or methadone now.

He is on Cymbalta and Ibuprofen. The physical pain is tolerable most days. The head trip working through this addiction is the greatest challenge (according to D).

He's a smart man, and often has trouble relating to alot of the folks in the night classes as he says there is alot of whining about not using.

D is a forward looking kind of guy and he has switched groups. He said all the whining was wanting him to use again.

I can see now the advantage of short term use of methadone in the acute withdrawal phase but I just can't see how someone might be able to be free of addiction on Methadone. Yet I can appreciate the other posts and how others have continued to live managable lives.

Sharona

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Sounds like he's doing a great job! I hope that the new group works for him. Some groups are not a good fit. I'm fortunately to have a home group of people that I consider friends, whom I know will be there for me. I've also been to some groups that were scarey and uncomfortable to me.

In the complicated lives of addicts/addiction switching meetings and viewing some groups negatively is a relapse waiting to happen, so hopefully he doesn't do this often. Just food for thought.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

Thanks Tweety,

In talking with him this morning, I find that his insurance is now being denied as he is back to work. Not full time yet. So the state is offering insurance at $580.00 a month.

He is very discouraged as he is missing about $600.00 a paycheck with his current schedule.

He's losing the house, he does not have garbage pick up, his electricity is about to be turned off, he has been given notice for a court appearance for a large dollar loan he took out in his drug days, so he needs $1700 for his lawyer. Not a good morning.

Yet every Monday morning he meets with his social worker and he will discuss these things. He says mom, it's like I'm living the same way when I was using. I can see his rationale. He wants to return to work fulltime but the court has made a conditional stay of committment for him to continue the after care until Jan.

It really tugs at my heart strings.

He is happy with his current group. Thank God for that. I can see your point Tweety.

Bless his heart, he does keep saying this is something I have to do, this is my problem and I need to fix it. Yet I question why his dear wife is not offering any financial help. Another story for another day.

Wow I needed to vent huh?

Thanks I needed this.

Sharona

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I know how he feels. Rare is the addict/alcoholic that doesn't have wreckage to deal with when he sobers up. Things don't magically disappear, and for some of us things pile up to the point where it seems worse than our using days.

I promise him this and it's the only thing I can say with assurance and is that things will get better one day at a time if he stays clean. Some of us it takes years to get the wreckage clear, clear our names and our finances, mend relationships, etc.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

Ahhhhhh Tweety

(((((((((((Tweety))))))))))

If you were here or I was there I'd be giving you a great big hug.

Your insight and positive messages mean so much to me Tweety. I think you know what I mean. Life gives us a bad rap at times, but it not for the goodness that comes out of adversity life would seem meaningless.

I will let D know about your words of wisdom.

Sharona