Methadone is a highly addictive narcotic analgesic that falls under the harm reduction model of treatment plans. Methadone clinics are really nothing more then legalized heroin and opiate dealers with taxable drugs. Giving your loved one methadone is the same as giving them any other opiate or narcotic and provides them with their “fix”. Most people who go to methadone clinics eventually start selling their methadone and use that money to by more heroin, Oxycontin or whatever opiate they crave. The only thing methadone really does is prevent your loved one from getting sick from a lack of opiates. Methadone clinics want you to believe that you can not get high when you are on methadone; we not only assure you that you can get high, but you can also overdose much easier from taking other opiates on top of your existing methadone. When your loved one is on methadone they are still an addict who continues to receive their daily fix to keep them from getting sick. Methadone clinics prey on the weakest families who are in crisis and the clinics convince the family and the addict that methadone is their way out. Unlike other opiates such as heroin and Oxycontin, methadone has a very long half life which means it last in your system far longer and you need the drug less frequently. When your on heroin or Oxycontin you need several “fixes” through out the day, with methadone you only need it once a day and at times can even skip a day. Because of the long lasting effects of methadone it is a far longer and more severe detox than coming off of other opiates. Heroin and Oxycontin detox is terrible although it only last about 5-7 days, whereas methadone is worse and can last anywhere from 2-4 weeks.
Harm Reduction Model
People in support of the harm reduction model believe that your loved one can not quit taking opiates and that they should be administered narcotics the rest of their lives. The philosophy of the harm reduction model with methadone is, if they can keep your loved one out of the drug areas and keep them from stealing $20 from your wallet or purse than they have done something to help. Methadone may accomplish this goal temporarily, however we have yet to see methadone improve the quality of any ones life or be effective long term. If your intelligent, capable 23 year old son or daughter is not buying drugs everyday, has stopped shoplifting temporarily but is still living in your home and not doing anything or holding a meaningless job, is that considered a successful program? Some families even go as far to tell us that things are better because since their loved one has been on the methadone program they have stopped stealing and are not buying drugs anymore but they still smoke weed and drink a little. The problem with addicts and alcoholics is not the drugs, it is the person, that is why methadone does not work. The harm reduction model is nothing more than a long term profitable approach to keeping your loved one addicted in order to keep them coming back for more methadone. The only difference between your local methadone clinic doctor and your son or daughters heroin dealer is your methadone clinic has a nicer office.