Friday, July 24, 2009

Methadone Centers - Myths and Misconceptions

Lets talk about the things that people are thought are cause by methadone. here is a few misconception with answers i have taken from

http://www.methadonecenters.com/MCmyths.htm

the hightlights are my comments.

Methadone Centers - Myths and Misconceptions:
Myth 1: Methadone gets to your bones!
"Pain in your muscles or joints is a symptom of opiate withdrawal. If an addict's dose is incorrect or if the patient continues to use mood-altering substances in addition to methadone, their standard dose may be insufficient and they could suffer mild withdrawal symptoms.

Myth 2: Methadone gets to your teeth!
This is a consequence of a long period of time in active addiction. Few heroin addicts clean their teeth regularly or go for dental checkups. Many addicts also consume a lot of sugar. Finally, inadequate nutrition will fail to keep teeth, gums and bones healthy. methadone can cause dry mouth as a result the oral area are less protected by the saliva which are heavy with cleansing properties.

Myth 3: Methadone depletes calcium supplements!
There is no scientific proof whatsoever that methadone depletes calcium in the body. This can be attributed largely to poor nutrition. To look for the real culprit in calcium depletion, addicts need to look no further than a much more common drug: Caffeine. Caffeine, in coffee, tea, cola drinks and chocolate has been proven to deplete calcium.

Myth 4: Methadone turns me into a zombi!
Stabilized methadone patients cannot be distinguished from non-methadone patients in terms of their ability to think, experience emotions or engage in physical activity. It has been remarked that many methadone patients are lazy and unmotivated. Instead of looking at methadone as the cause, it is better examine the individuals' lifestyle. Low energy and lack of motivation often comes from depression and hopelessness.

Methadone blocks heroin withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It does not find a person a job, deal with past trauma or guilt from past actions, and teach a person how to deal with painful emotions or how to relate well to others. These things are only learned in living life free of active addiction.

No comments:

Post a Comment