Despite controversy, methadone program gives some addicts a way out
By Diane Knich
When he tried to quit using OxyContin, heroin and other opiates cold turkey, the pain was so great he felt it in the marrow of his bones, says Ken S., a patient in Charleston County's methadone program.
Ken, 40, who chose not to give his last name so he could remain anonymous, said that about a year ago he landed on the door step of the Charleston Center, the county's drug and alcohol treatment program which runs the state's only public methadone program.
He had been abusing opiates since he chugged a bottle of codeine cough syrup at 10 years old. And he was at the end of a two-year spree of heavy abuse of prescription opiates and heroin that left him in fear of losing his job and his family.
He was so out of control, he said, that he physically and verbally abused his wife as his child watched. "My 9-year-old son was scared of me."
Ken was so ashamed of what he'd done that he tried to stop using the drugs but the withdrawal symptoms were unbearable. He found himself doubled over and vomiting in the shower as nearly scalding water washed over him.
"It was disgusting," he said. He knew then that he desperately needed help.
He remembered hearing that a former girlfriend, who also was an opiate addict, had participated in a methadone program and was successful getting off the drugs.
So, he showed up at the Charleston Center. It was his last hope, Ken said, "the last house on the block."
Read more about Ken's story and the methadone treatment program in tomorrow's editions of The Post and Courier.
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farfallaspeaks (anonymous) says...
My good friend died of a methadone overdose that his doctor prescribed for him because he was a heroin addict.
July 13, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
farfallaspeaks (anonymous) says...
the worst drugs are the ones the doctors prescribe to you.
funny how they ARE legal.
methadone is just as, if not more destructive than heroin, but the pharmaceutical companies make so much money off them, they will always be legal.
anyone can get a prescription to methadone. ANYONE. In fact, my friend was offered methadone by a nurse because she looked a little punky that day. The nurse goes, "Are you here for your methadoneshe told the nurse she wasn't an addict, she just needed to pick up her friend's medication.
I think more of the problem lies in our society and culture.
July 13, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blues101 (anonymous) says...
i know a person who was (is?) a heroin addict, which turned him into a loser, avoided by acquaintances, and the topic of discussion at a zillion reunions. then he got on methadone, and since it doesn't change the addictive personality or behavior, - and he was on methadone for half his life - now he's older, unfortunately still stigmatized, with no prospects and no life. and in my opinion, still an addict. Addicted to methadone, a synthetic opiate. You develop a tolerance to that as well. So in effect, you're a recovering heroin addict addicted to methadone.
i saw no good change in that person while he was using methadone - i just someone legally stoned and acting strangely all the time anyway. Unemployed or unemployable, no ambition, reclusive, irresponsible. Once you're hooked on heroin, the physical withdrawal really is unbearable.
if counseling with the methadone treatment isn't mandatory - and i thought it was.... it should be. it's a dangerous drug. I do feel sorry for all who are suffering from addiction,it destroys the users and the families - but methadone doesn't seem to be an answer to that except to mimic the effects of heroin and keep an addict from using something more dangerous.I'm no expert, but that's what i learned about it. Wouldn't it would be better not to mimic the bad drug with a safer drug, but get the person cured of the addiction to the euphoric feeling heroin produces and not replacing it with another euphoria-producing drug? how else can someone recover?
July 13, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowcountrylover (anonymous) says...
CHARLESTON COUNTY IS NOW A DRUG DEALER.
July 13, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truth_in_knowledge (anonymous) says...
Methadone is a safe and effective treatment for addiction. It has been used for over 40 years to treat addiction with success. Statistics show that is is successful in treating addiction and is among the most regulated and controlled medications available. Recent hysteria surrounding its use has been caused by groups reporting false statistics interpreted from CDC data to fit their own needs. Numbers reflected were listed as "possible contributing factors" and were acknowledged as being one of many drugs found in the system of the deceased. The overdoses you read about are caused by a 237% increase in prescriptions from pain clinics. Any increase in use leads to increase in abuse. It is simple math. Clinics save lives, save money, reduce HIV & HCV, and decrease crime in addicts. Do the research Educate yourself instead of listening to others. People are dying waiting on long lists at clinics. There aren't enough clinics to serve the need and every time one tries to open it is met with objection from these fanatical groups. They claim to be saving lives and they are costing them.
July 13, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
farfallaspeaks (anonymous) says...
truth_in_knowledge
I am not a medical expert, but I have seen many friends suffer greatly from side effects of drugs given to them by their doctors.
They did an autopsy on my friend and all they found was a bunch of methadone. There was not a trace of heroin.
My friend was trying to get better, and instead he got killed.
The doctor said he may have given him too much. That was all he said...
He left behind two beautiful children.
July 13, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
melis11577 (anonymous) says...
Methadone KILLS more then heroin, Oxycontin, hydrocodone etc...
Methadone is also harder to come off of then those drugs...
www.harmd.org
Helping America Reduce Methadone Deaths
July 15, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
melis11577 (anonymous) says...
Over 32% of the Methadone Deaths in 2004 had Methadone ONLY in the decendents body
Methadone is the #2 killer drug in the US, only 2nd to heroin.
In 2005 methadone was indicated in over 4600 deaths.
In January 2008 the University of Oregon released a study that stated Methdone Kills even at therapeutic levels.....
Methadone is NOT safe and has unique properties that make is especially dangerous such as the half life, cardio toxic properties, severe respiratory depressant effects, extrememly long half life coupled with short analgesic properties, and numerous negative interactions with other drugs.
www.harmd.org
Helping America Reduce Methadone Deaths
July 15, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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