Drug Methadone

Posts Tagged ‘cold turkey’

Methadone is a narcotic analgesic, which means that it acts as an intense pain reliever. It works by acting on an addict’s central nervous system, suppressing pain via pain receptor sites. It is used to help those with an addictive drug such as heroin, however itself has addictive properties. Why is methadone addictive? It’s because when a supposedly recovering addict’s brain becomes used to the pain relief provided by methadone (as opposed to natural painkillers, or endorphins), the addict is “desensitized” towards all natural means and seeks pain relief through the continuous use of methadone.

One of the most serious side effects of methadone is that it suppressed your ability to breathe normally. This is why heroin addicts with chronic conditions such as asthma or sleep apnea need to use other treatments for heroin addiction. Other side effects of methadone use include stomach problems, impaired judgment, and can lead to overdose.    Read more...

Question by SmileItsNotThatSerious: Pregnant on Methadone?
Many women take methadone for pain or are far into their addiction treatement, and then they get pregnant by accident. Rather than abortion, they slowly and safely lower their dose so the baby isn’t born addicted. But then there are the women who don’t care or don’t want to try, and they actually increase their dose! THESE women complained that their clinic wanted them to lower their dose, and made it seem like they were being asked to stop cold turkey (which can cause miscarriage). Now NJ has a law being proposed that will make it illegal for a woman on meth who gets pregnant to safely quit methadone!!!! Basically they want to force women to STAY ON methadone, and take away their right to choose having a healthy baby! Medical research says that SLOWLY tapering off methadone is safest, but these “addiction” specialists are fighting this and putting out false info that it is not safe.
How can a concerned mom fight this?    Read more...