How long are patients usually on methadone?
Another area where methadone is misunderstood is the length of time a patient should be on it. It’s just like insulin for the diabetic. Insulin controls diabetes–while the patient is taking it. Blood pressure medication controls hypertension–while the patient is taking it. Methadone controls the disease of opiate addiction–while the patient is taking it. Even the most well-adjusted, committed person should think long and seriously about withdrawing from this medication (80-90% relapse to daily opiate use within two years–most relapse much sooner). The odds are against us when we quit taking it. I’d like to insert some comments from an interview from Dr. Vincent Dole, the father of methadone maintenance treatment. If you wish to read the whole interview, see: http://www.methadonetoday.org/v3_n02.htm#Dr. Vincent Dole http://www.methadonetoday.org/v3_n03.htm#Part II Also see: http://www.methadonetoday.org/v4_n05.
Another area where methadone is misunderstood is the length of time a patient should be on it. It’s just like insulin for the diabetic. Insulin controls diabetes–while the patient is taking it. Blood pressure medication controls hypertension–while the patient is taking it. Methadone controls the disease of opiate addiction–while the patient is taking it. Even the most well-adjusted, committed person should think long and seriously about withdrawing from this medication (80-90% relapse to daily opiate use within two years–most relapse much sooner). The odds are against us when we quit taking it. I’d like to insert some comments from an interview from Dr. Vincent Dole, the father of methadone maintenance treatment. If you wish to read the whole interview, see: http://www.methadonetoday.org/v3_n02.htm#Dr.
