Why is methadone a better alternative to heroin?
There are a number of reasons why methadone is preferable to being dependent on heroin. First, methadone is swallowed. This cuts out the risk of using shared or dirty injecting equipment and becoming infected with hepatitis B or C or HIV. Second, methadone can be administered in a controlled way. This means that the drug is dispensed in a clinical environment so there is no risk of it being impure. Third, the effects of methadone last up to 24 hours and this means a person only needs one dose a day to control withdrawal. These factors help stabilise a person’s lifestyle. It reduces the stress and anxiety over where the next dose of heroin is coming from and encourages people to look after themselves and others better. A person on methadone is also more likely to hold down a job. Methadone is also cheaper than heroin and the extra money can further improve the health and lifestyle of a person. Criminal activities to buy illegal drugs are also reduced.
