Comments on: Columnist: Methadone not the answer for Eastern Maine’s addicts http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/ Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:58:15 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: annoyed http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-22514 annoyed Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:49:55 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-22514 Definitly has no idea what he is talking about. Its fine if your opinion is methadone is bad and doesnt work and I agree that some people do abuse it, but if your going to write an article on it do some research first. The cost of methadone is definitly not 80 per dose. Its about $100 per week. People who get takehomes (the max is 6 days a week) must have a year or longer of clean drug screens and complete compliance with all of the state and methadone clinic's rules. This for some can be up to four hours of counseling a month, along with group meetings as well. Methadone, if used correctly, does help people a great deal. It helps people live normal lives and probably lowers the crime rate in the area if anything. People aren't out stealing for drug money and dealing with street dealers. I cant believe someone would write an article on such a controversial topic and not even take a little bit of time to do some research. These facts are very easy to find out.....the facts in this article are way off. What a joke. Definitly has no idea what he is talking about. Its fine if your opinion is methadone is bad and doesnt work and I agree that some people do abuse it, but if your going to write an article on it do some research first. The cost of methadone is definitly not 80 per dose. Its about $100 per week. People who get takehomes (the max is 6 days a week) must have a year or longer of clean drug screens and complete compliance with all of the state and methadone clinic’s rules. This for some can be up to four hours of counseling a month, along with group meetings as well. Methadone, if used correctly, does help people a great deal. It helps people live normal lives and probably lowers the crime rate in the area if anything. People aren’t out stealing for drug money and dealing with street dealers. I cant believe someone would write an article on such a controversial topic and not even take a little bit of time to do some research. These facts are very easy to find out…..the facts in this article are way off. What a joke.

]]> By: j http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-10074 j Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:21:42 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-10074 This is crazy. Methadone can help people live normal lives. Many people simply won't quit taking opiates because they don't WANT to -- their lives are BETTER with opiates. They're supposed to be living in a free country -- why shouldn't they have access to methadone (or any other opiate, for that matter) on the free market?!?!?! Why should they be tortured with laws that restrict their freedom? Methadone is plenty regulated already... Why on earth would it need more regulations?!?! In fact, regulating it does MUCH MORE HARM! Making people go to a clinic every day just gives them opportunities to meet other drug users who can get them into trouble! Moreover, it's a ridiculous waste of time, time that could be spent being productive. The real answer, of course, is just to LEGALIZE ALL DRUGS. OUT OF ALL THE DRUGS, THE OPIATES ARE THE *SAFEST*, AND USERS REGULATE THEIR DOSES WHEN GIVEN UNRESTRICTED ACCESS ON THE FREE MARKET. The drugs are also very cheap in a free market situation. Besides, it is IMMORAL TO KEEP DRUGS ILLEGAL -- LOCKING MEN AND WOMEN IN CAGES IN THE LAND OF THE FREE FOR TAKING CERTAIN SUBSTANCES IS ABSURD AND THOSE WHO PROPAGATE THIS SYSTEM WILL OCCUPY THE SAME CIRCLE OF HELL AS MURDERERS -- they're stealing people's lives, day by day, with jail sentences and absurd bull**** that stands in the way of people who simply prefer to take opiates living enjoyable, productive lives. This is crazy.

Methadone can help people live normal lives. Many people simply won’t quit taking opiates because they don’t WANT to — their lives are BETTER with opiates. They’re supposed to be living in a free country — why shouldn’t they have access to methadone (or any other opiate, for that matter) on the free market?!?!?!

Why should they be tortured with laws that restrict their freedom? Methadone is plenty regulated already… Why on earth would it need more regulations?!?! In fact, regulating it does MUCH MORE HARM!

Making people go to a clinic every day just gives them opportunities to meet other drug users who can get them into trouble!

Moreover, it’s a ridiculous waste of time, time that could be spent being productive.

The real answer, of course, is just to LEGALIZE ALL DRUGS. OUT OF ALL THE DRUGS, THE OPIATES ARE THE *SAFEST*, AND USERS REGULATE THEIR DOSES WHEN GIVEN UNRESTRICTED ACCESS ON THE FREE MARKET. The drugs are also very cheap in a free market situation.

Besides, it is IMMORAL TO KEEP DRUGS ILLEGAL — LOCKING MEN AND WOMEN IN CAGES IN THE LAND OF THE FREE FOR TAKING CERTAIN SUBSTANCES IS ABSURD AND THOSE WHO PROPAGATE THIS SYSTEM WILL OCCUPY THE SAME CIRCLE OF HELL AS MURDERERS — they’re stealing people’s lives, day by day, with jail sentences and absurd bull**** that stands in the way of people who simply prefer to take opiates living enjoyable, productive lives.

]]> By: Brian http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-3408 Brian Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:16:20 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-3408 Ringo...I nvite you to speak with me. I'm in long term recovery with the use of methadone. It has saved and changed my life for the better. It boils down to many patients still abuse other drugs. If you are serious, methadone is no more dangerous to the user as insulin to a diabetic. I respect your opinions, I'm a success story that is trying to just give people something to think about. Thanks! Brian Ringo…I nvite you to speak with me. I’m in long term recovery with the use of methadone. It has saved and changed my life for the better. It boils down to many patients still abuse other drugs. If you are serious, methadone is no more dangerous to the user as insulin to a diabetic. I respect your opinions, I’m a success story that is trying to just give people something to think about. Thanks!
Brian

]]> By: George Clarke http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-3331 George Clarke Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:43:17 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-3331 Some research shows that persons taking their methadone properly are very close to the same risk as the average driver. It is not a get high drug when taken properly as prescribed and not mixed with certain other drugs and alcohol.(please read on) http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/methadone/index.html This driving misunderstanding is often used as a way to try to prevent a clinic from opening. Methadone properties are not the same as other opioids and opiates. Methadone for pain is prescribed very differently (taken several times a day instead of once a day) from methadone for opiate addiction. (with some exceptions for fast metabolizers.) The properties saught in opiate treatment are the elimination of cravings and the blocking dose where the abuse of other opiates becomes mute. The community is helped by a methadone clinic because the addicts are no longer craving opiates for a day at a time and this reduces the potential for the spreading of needle born disease HIV Hep-C etc. and reducing the market for illicit opiates and opioids. In my opinion, if they used some of the money on methadone treatment and buprenorphine treatment that now being spent on trying to interdict heroin from Mexico and the sale of guns and money from the US going the other way, the results might be much better. If some of the 12 step groups eased up on their "dislike" of methadone and helped methadone patients with the other drugs of abuse - like alcohol & cocaine etc. a lot of good could come from there too. Ahhh well. Sigh... http://www.na.org/?ID=bulletins-bull29 Thanks for being. Some research shows that persons taking their methadone properly are very close to the same risk as the average driver. It is not a get high drug when taken properly as prescribed and not mixed with certain other drugs and alcohol.(please read on)

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/methadone/index.html

This driving misunderstanding is often used as a way to try to prevent a clinic from opening. Methadone properties are not the same as other opioids and opiates.

Methadone for pain is prescribed very differently (taken several times a day instead of once a day) from methadone for opiate addiction. (with some exceptions for fast metabolizers.) The properties saught in opiate treatment are the elimination of cravings and the blocking dose where the abuse of other opiates becomes mute.

The community is helped by a methadone clinic because the addicts are no longer craving opiates for a day at a time and this reduces the potential for the spreading of needle born disease HIV Hep-C etc. and reducing the market for illicit opiates and opioids.

In my opinion, if they used some of the money on methadone treatment and buprenorphine treatment that now being spent on trying to interdict heroin from Mexico and the sale of guns and money from the US going the other way, the results might be much better.

If some of the 12 step groups eased up on their “dislike” of methadone and helped methadone patients with the other drugs of abuse – like alcohol & cocaine etc. a lot of good could come from there too. Ahhh well. Sigh…

http://www.na.org/?ID=bulletins-bull29

Thanks for being.

]]> By: Nikki Taylor http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-3264 Nikki Taylor Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:10:24 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-3264 Why do Methadone patients get a free pat on the back and understanding from the Community! Smokers don't! Also a Methadone user can get behind the wheel of a car and drive after their fix and there is no law against it but, guess what their addicted, their stoned, there driving. I think I will just stand on the sidewalk and smoke my ciggarette and hopefully, I won;t kill to many people that day! Why do Methadone patients get a free pat on the back and understanding from the Community!
Smokers don’t!
Also a Methadone user can get behind the wheel of a car and drive after their fix and there is no law against it but, guess what their addicted, their stoned, there driving.
I think I will just stand on the sidewalk and smoke my ciggarette and hopefully, I won;t kill to many people that day!

]]> By: Ringo http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-3251 Ringo Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:47:35 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-3251 Thank you, George, for all the valuable information. Your input has been much appreciated. Thank you, George, for all the valuable information. Your input has been much appreciated.

]]> By: George Clarke http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-3226 George Clarke Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:43:52 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-3226 MORE ON THE HISTORY OF STIGMA AGAINST METHADONE PATIENTS. http://www.methadonetoday.org/dole_nys.htm MORE ON THE HISTORY OF STIGMA AGAINST METHADONE PATIENTS.

http://www.methadonetoday.org/dole_nys.htm

]]> By: George Clarke http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-3225 George Clarke Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:57:11 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-3225 Facts of interest concerning the numbers of opiate addicts in methadone assisted treatment. (some clinics and other authorized MD's are providing buprenorphine treatment). "there are approximately 260,000 patients being treated with methadone in 1,203 registered and certified OTPs. There are more than 700,000 patients who receive prescriptions for methadone from private physicians in treating chronic pain." Comments by Marl Parino Source: http://nama-president.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=1 In my opinion, it is sad that some/many? 12 step groups will support those who are trying to taper and will not understand, recognize and honor with full membership privledges those who need to stay on medically assisted treatment. The same goes for some treatment centers. George Clarke Facts of interest concerning the numbers of opiate addicts in methadone assisted treatment. (some clinics and other authorized MD’s are providing buprenorphine treatment).

“there are approximately 260,000 patients being treated with methadone in 1,203 registered and certified OTPs. There are more than 700,000 patients who receive prescriptions for methadone from private physicians in treating chronic pain.” Comments by Marl Parino

Source:

http://nama-president.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=1

In my opinion, it is sad that some/many? 12 step groups will support those who are trying to taper and will not understand, recognize and honor with full membership privledges those who need to stay on medically assisted treatment. The same goes for some treatment centers.

George Clarke

]]> By: Ringo http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-3178 Ringo Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:59:11 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-3178 Willy, it doesn't sound like methadone maintenance has worked for you, but as you concede, it has worked for others. How many? That's a number that we rarely learn because successful methadone patients are invisible. They blend into society and know that they can never tell anyone how grateful they are that they have medicine that helps them to be healthy, productive members of society. Methadone is a medicine that works, but it's not a wonder drug. There's more to recovery than just taking medicine. Your entire way of life has to change. You have to change it--the medicine cannot do it for you. If people are selling their doses "50 feet" away from their clinics, then these people are not ready to be in recovery, or they should be in a different type of treatment program other than methadone maintenance. There are other avenues that may work for them. Furthermore, those people who are treating methadone as a drug of choice rather than medicine are only serving to sabotage the treatment of those people for whom methadone is a God-send. Willy, it doesn’t sound like methadone maintenance has worked for you, but as you concede, it has worked for others. How many? That’s a number that we rarely learn because successful methadone patients are invisible. They blend into society and know that they can never tell anyone how grateful they are that they have medicine that helps them to be healthy, productive members of society. Methadone is a medicine that works, but it’s not a wonder drug. There’s more to recovery than just taking medicine. Your entire way of life has to change. You have to change it–the medicine cannot do it for you. If people are selling their doses “50 feet” away from their clinics, then these people are not ready to be in recovery, or they should be in a different type of treatment program other than methadone maintenance. There are other avenues that may work for them. Furthermore, those people who are treating methadone as a drug of choice rather than medicine are only serving to sabotage the treatment of those people for whom methadone is a God-send.

]]> By: George Clarke http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/op-ed-methadone-not-the-answer-for-eastern-maine%e2%80%99s-addicts/comment-page-1/#comment-3175 George Clarke Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:40:08 +0000 http://mainecampus.com/?p=3723325#comment-3175 Stigma: Methadone Mainteannce Treatment is swamped by stigma. http://www.thebody.com/content/art30848.html In the above is a direct reference to the Stigma that comes from from 12 step groups. As in my prior post, I honor the paths of other groups trying to help the opiate addict. It is true that some can find recovery through abstinence recovery. Yet others are not able to find it there, and/or turn towards the medical treatment model. It sems that acceptance of the medical treatment model is beyond the capability of many in some 12 step programs which treat methadone patients as still using. A friendly approach, without out strong suggestion to leave the treatment that is working for them, could be a better way. A meeting could declare themselves MMF Methadone Maintainance Friendly and allow full memebership privledges to methadone patients (like being allowed to openly share and even chair a meeting) This small change may still seem impossible.. Ahh well.. George Stigma: Methadone Mainteannce Treatment is swamped by stigma.

http://www.thebody.com/content/art30848.html

In the above is a direct reference to the Stigma that comes from from 12 step groups.

As in my prior post, I honor the paths of other groups trying to help the opiate addict. It is true that some can find recovery through abstinence recovery. Yet others are not able to find it there, and/or turn towards the medical treatment model.

It sems that acceptance of the medical treatment model is beyond the capability of many in some 12 step programs which treat methadone patients as still using. A friendly approach, without out strong suggestion to leave the treatment that is working for them, could be a better way.

A meeting could declare themselves MMF Methadone Maintainance Friendly and allow full memebership privledges to methadone patients (like being allowed to openly share and even chair a meeting)

This small change may still seem impossible..

Ahh well..

George

]]>