Methadone

WHAT IS METHADONE?

Methadone is a synthetic opiate depressant used legally as substitute treatment for opiate dependence (ORT). It can play an effective and important role in helping a person reduce the harm of their drug use and reduce the need to use illegal drugs. It produces similar effects to heroin but doesn’t deliver the same degree of buzz or high. A methadone program aims to increase stability and moderate withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is only legal with a prescription but is sometimes ‘diverted’ and used illegally.

OTHER NAMES:

Done or The done.

EFFECTS:

• Methadone is ingested and can be diverted and injected.
• Like heroin, methadone is a depressant which means it slows down your heart and breathing rate.
• The higher the dose the greater the effect will be
• The effects experienced are reduced physical and psychological pain, feelings of warmth, relaxation and detachment
• It can cause sweating and digestive issues
• If you use too much methadone you might have shallow breathing, bluish lips, or an inability to be roused or woken. An ambulance should be called if anything like this happens to you or someone else.
• Methadone is available with a prescription but is sometimes ‘diverted’ and used in a non-prescribed way.
• It comes as coloured liquid or a tablet, and is generally dosed by a chemist with cordial or fruit juice. Sometimes people might inject it.
• DURATION
• Usually effects are felt 30 minutes after taking a dose
• Peak effects are felt approximately 3 hours after you’ve taken a dose
• The effects usually last around 24 hours.
  OVERDOSE
• Shallow breathing, blue lips, and an inability to be roused or woken.
• An ambulance should be called if any of these symptoms occur.

SOME COMMON HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES

Encourage a young person to: –

• Try to stick to the prescribed program and talk to your doctor
• Drink water
• Brush and floss your teeth regularly
• Avoid mixing with other drugs, especially depressants like alcohol or benzos which will increase the risk of overdose.
• Call an ambulance if an overdose is suspected

This is only a little bit of information check out Harm Reduction Victoria’s fact sheet which has more information about the symptoms of an overdose and how to use Naloxone.

NB: Naloxone is available from these pharmacies free of charge: Take home naloxone program