Methadone is used in the treatment of opiate addicts, incl. heroin and morphine. The substance eliminates withdrawal symptoms, but at the same time has a high addictive potential, so its use should be under strict medical supervision. In the event of an overdose of methadone, the patient is exposed to another addiction, the effects of which can be much more severe than in the case of heroin or codeine.

Methadoneis an opioid drug used in drug addiction treatment. This substance acts as a drug substitute. Due to the fact that its action is longer and less euphoric, it is easier for an addicted person to quit the addiction and return to normal life. Opponents of methadone treatment emphasize, however, that such therapy only masks the effects of addiction, but does not completely eliminate it. The patient still needs to take opiates regularly, but in the form of methadone, which affects the opioid receptors in the brain to a lesser extent. Moreover, methadone causes much stronger withdrawal symptoms than heroin, which is why it is even more difficult for an addicted person to give it up.

Methadone - use in substitution therapy

Methadone treatment was started in the 1960s in the USA. This drug successfully replaced heroin - it had a longer duration of action (from 24 to 36 hours, in the case of heroin it is 6-12 hours), did not cause such strong euphoria and could be taken in the same doses for a long time (no tolerance development). ). In Poland, the first methadone substitution therapy was carried out by the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw in 1992. Today, similar programs are carried out by approx. 20 institutions, incl. in Wrocław, Kraków, Lublin, Łódź, Poznań, Chorzów.

Methadone, taken in controlled doses, under medical supervision, abolishes the feeling of drug craving. Thanks to this, the patient forgets about the addiction and can focus on leading a normal life. The drug is administered daily in the form of a syrup, each dose should be reported personally to a therapeutic facility. If an addict for a long time is diligently following the doctor's instructions and does not mix methadone with other drugs, he can take larger doses of the drug home and dose it himself. In addition, it is compulsory to go togroup and individual therapy.

Although this type of treatment does not lead to complete abstinence, it shows the best effects in counteracting the negative effects of drug addiction. Patients who use methadone programs do not commit crimes to obtain funds to buy drugs, do not fall from infectious diseases such as HIV or AIDS, work, learn to build he althy relationships with their family and the environment.

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Methadone- a synthetic opioid similar to morphine, a diphenylpropylamine derivative. Invented in 1937 in the IG Farben laboratory by two German chemists Gustav Ehrhart and Max Bockmühl. Initially produced under the name dolophine, polamidone. It is in the form of the hydrochloride. Sold in the form of a syrup that is administered orally. It has an analgesic and sleep-inducing effect. Methadone is metabolized in the liver. Its half-life is usually from 13 to 50 hours, but in some cases it can extend up to 130-190 hours.

Methadone - addiction

Addiction to methadone occurs when a person who attends therapy begins to mix methadone with other drugs or alcohol (the so-called matching) or uncontrollably increases the doses taken. Since the substance can be purchased illegally, for example via the internet, there are cases of methadone dependence in people not receiving drug addiction treatment. Then the only purpose of using it is, as in the case of traditional drugs, to create the feeling of "high".

The subjective feelings associated with taking higher doses of methadone are similar to those of heroin. These are euphoria, bliss, relaxation, inner peace, contentment.

Symptoms that can be noticed immediately after administering an increased dose are:

  • lowering blood pressure,
  • constriction of the pupils,
  • feeling of warmth throughout the body,
  • decreased response to emotional stimuli (apathy),
  • pain relief,
  • decreased appetite,
  • lowering motivation,
  • slow movements and sleepiness.

The overuse of methadone leads to complete emaciation and exhaustion of the body, including:

  • damage to internal organs, especially the liver,
  • significant weight loss,
  • the appearance of inflammatory skin lesions,
  • advanced tooth decay,
  • difficulty urinating and constipation,
  • missed periods.

Methadone - withdrawal symptoms

In the absence of access to the next dose of methadone, in an addicted person after 24-48hours, withdrawal symptoms appear. They are similar to the symptoms after heroin withdrawal, but their severity is much greater. Include:

  • anxiety and increased nervous tension,
  • insomnia,
  • enlarged pupils,
  • heavy sweating,
  • chills,
  • vomiting and diarrhea,
  • joint and muscle pains,
  • contractions.

The process of removing the toxin from the body is very painful and exhausting, therefore it should be supervised by a doctor. In such cases, a specialist in such cases will gradually reduce the dose of methadone to minimize withdrawal symptoms, and will also give you sedatives and painkillers. Self-detox is dangerous to he alth and life, especially if the patient comes off very large doses of the drug. In extreme cases, seizures, epilepsy and even death may occur after the abrupt withdrawal of the substance.

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Psychology