Monthly Archives: September 2011

Methadone Overdose : Signs, Symptoms, and What To Do

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Methadone Overdose : Yes It Kills Opioid Addicts

Methadone Overdose

Methadone Overdose

Methadone Overdose has been on the rise. According the the US Government Accountability Office in 2009, methadone prescriptions for for the treatment ofpain grew from about 531,000 in 1998 to about 4.1 million in 2006.  The Centers for Disease Control has shown that only car accidents lead drug overdoses, (including prescriptions) in unintentional injury deaths in the USA. Methadone leads other narcotics such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, and fentanyl in the number of deaths per year.  In 2005 there were 4,462 methadone related deaths.

Methadone is listed as a Schedule II Controlled Substance by the DEA.  This means the drugs in this schedule have a high potential for abuse. They may also lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.  Oxycodone, methadone, and morphine are included in this list among others. Here is a more complete list of schedule II drugs.

Methadone Overdose : Why Is It Increasing Now?

Starting around 2000, there was a push to make sure pain patients were receiving adequate pain relief. When methadone is used for the treatment of pain, it is not under the same restrictions as when it is given in an Opioid Treatment Program. In other words, it is easier for doctors to prescribe it for pain.

As a result, there was an increase in the number of methadone prescriptions since 2000. In 2007, many doctors became concerned with the addictive problems with oxycontin and began using more methadone to treat pain. With more availability of methadone came more misuse and diversion of the drug. The number of people with a methadone overdose has increased, in part, to this increase in availability and diversion.

Here are some more causes of methadone overdose:

  • Injected (more potent) too much
  • Person is not accustomed to starting methadone and initial dose too much
  • Dose of the methadone is increased too fast
  • Methadone was combined with other sedating and interacting drugs.
  • Suicide attempt

Methadone Overdose : The Signs and Symptoms

  • Sedation: This can range from being groggy, dizzy, disoriented,  to being limp and comatose.
  • Breathing: More shallow or slow than usual
  • Vomiting
  • Unable to wake up or arouse
  • Pupils are pinpoint
  • Heartbeat may be irregular and/or decreased
  • Speech may be slurred
  • Lack of oxygen: fingertips and/or lips turning blue
  • Skin may be cold and clammy
  • muscle twitching

“An often unrecognized symptom of methadone overmedication is unusual feelings of excess energy with or without euphoria. As methadone levels drop the other signs/symptoms may emerge.” Source.

Methadone Overdose : What To Do

Remember, people usually die from methadone overdose by stopping breathing.  Time is important and breathing can stop suddenly.

Call 911

Always call 911 first if the person cannot be woken up. You should also be aware of the a national number:

National Poison Control Center  1-800-222-1222

The next things during a suspected or know methadone overdose (or any opioid overdose)

  • Be prepared to perform CPR if they stop breathing
  • Don’t leave the person alone, the could stop breathing
  • Try to determine what they took, how much, and when. Where there other drugs used
  • Don’t try to stand the person up or move them around unless you have training. This could lead to trauma and vomiting among other things.
  • Don’t make them vomit: it could cause them to choke on the vomit or breathe it into their lungs

Summary of Methadone Overdose

The number of people having a methadone overdose has been on the rise during the last decade. This is most likely due to an increase in the availability and diversion of methadone.  There are typical signs and symptoms of a methadone overdose that are the same for any opioid overdose. You primarily need to worry about the person stopping breathing. Be prepared to do CPR and always call 911 immediately.

More resources for Methadone Overdose :

Methadone Associated Overdose Deaths : USGAO 2009

NY Times Article on Methadone Ovedose

 

Suboxone Treatment Directory And Methadone Treatment Directory

Dr. Rich is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with licenses in Texas and Hawaii. He specializes in the treatment of opioid addiction with buprenorphine and runs a FREE locator service to find Methadone Treatment including Suboxone treatment of oxycontin addiction. Suboxone Doctor in your area.
Dr. Rich has written more articles on the cost of oxycontin, buprenorphine (Suboxone) including frequently asked questions and a recent post : Suboxone Cost : Will Medicare and Medicaid Cover Treatment ?

Methadone : What Are People Searching For On The Web

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Searching for Methadone on the Web : Google Keyword

Skip and Go Here If You Just Want information On Methadone Treatment

Also, see bottom of post for alternatives to methadone

Methadone : What Are People Searching For On The Web

Methadone : What Are People Searching For On The Web

We just past Google’s 13th birthday and it got me thinking about the Google search volume for methadone.  I got a bit curious at the idea of looking at how many times the word has been used in search over the last month.

The search results indicate that people are first looking for information on simply methadone. The next most popular item is treatment and clinics. The appears to be about 3 million searches per year for people interested in treatment.

Following the first two most popular term, we see interest in withdrawal, and use.  Later, we see searches for related  methadone and suboxone. Then we get into pain treatment, pregnancy, specific doses of methadone, and then other medications.  For more information, see the list below.

Term  Methadone with:                         Monthy Searches

methadone                                            550000
what is                                                   550000
about                                                     550000
methadone methadone                       550000
clinic                                                         74000
clinics                                                       60500
treatment                                               60500
treatment for                                         60500
centers                                                    22200
effects of                                                 18100
effects                                                     18100
effects                                                     18100
withdrawal                                             14800
withdrawal from                                   14800
withdrawal                                             14800
side effects                                             12100
side effects                                             12100
side effect                                               12100
side affects                                             12100
treatment centers                                  9900
withdrawals                                            9900
withdrawals from                                   9900
mg                                                            9900
dose                                                         9900
use                                                           9900
use of                                                       9900
for pain                                                    8100
pain                                                          8100
pain                                                          8100
maintenance                                           8100
dosage                                                     6600
dosage                                                     6600
to suboxone                                            6600
and suboxone                                         6600
suboxone                                                 6600
suboxone                                                 6600
suboxone and                                         6600
suboxone to                                            6600
or suboxone                                            6600
suboxone or                                            6600
addiction                                                  6600
in system                                                 5400
test                                                           5400
program                                                   5400
buy                                                            5400
buy                                                           5400
overdose                                                  5400
overdose on                                             5400
overdose                                                  5400
symptoms                                               4400
symptoms of                                           4400
high                                                          4400
dosing                                                      4400
addicts                                                     4400
online                                                       4400
therapy                                                   4400
10                                                             4400
programs                                                 4400
and pregnancy                                        3600
pregnancy                                                3600
pregnancy and                                        3600
in pregnancy                                           3600
taking                                                      3600
10mg                                                       3600
opiate                                                      3600
liquid                                                       2900
pregnant on                                           2900
urine                                                       2900
testing                                                    2900
doctor                                                      2900
and opiates                                             2900
and morphine                                        2900
morphine                                               2900
dosages                                                   2900
buprenorphine                                      2900
and oxycodone                                      2900
treatment center                                  2900
forum                                                      2900
methadone abuse                                 2900
street methadone                                 2900
doctors                                                   2900
withdrawal symptoms                         2400
maintenance treatment                      2400
and xanax                                              2400
price                                                       2400
interactions                                           2400
withdrawl                                              2400
withdrawl from                                     2400
baby                                                       2400
and alcohol                                            2400
alcohol                                                   2400
alcohol and                                           2400
wikipedia                                              2400
getting of                                              2400
purchase                                              2400

Other Searches Related to Methadone

When people are looking for more information on opioid addicton treatment, they also are wanting other options.  One of the best options is suboxone treatment.  I really like this treatment alternative because is has less risk of abuse and less risk of a lethal overdose.  People can now get suboxone at their own doctor’s office if they are a suboxone prescriber.

Another alternative is the use of Vivitrol. It is an injection of naltrexone, which completely block opioids.  Taking a narcotic for pain for to get high will not work at all while on this mediction.  If a person is on opioids, it will start immediate withdrawals.  This treatment is usually for those already clean or detoxed who need a bit incentive to not use.

Suboxone Treatment Directory And Methadone Treatment Directory

Dr. Rich is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with licenses in Texas and Hawaii. He specializes in the treatment of opioid addiction with buprenorphine and runs a FREE locator service to find Methadone Treatment including Suboxone treatment for oxycontin addiction. Suboxone Clinic in your area.
Dr. Rich has written more articles on the cost of oxycontin, buprenorphine (Suboxone) including frequently asked questions and a recent post : Painkiller Addiction : Top 10 Signs You May Have It

Methadone Treatment Cost For Opioid Addiction

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Methadone Treatment Cost For Opioid Addiction : For You and Society

Methadone Treatment Cost

Methadone Treatment Cost

According to the NIDA Methadone Research Web Guide, the money spent on methadone treatment cost is easily returned.  For every one dollar invested in treatment, four dollars are returned. Methadone treatment easily pays for itself.  Even if a person continues to use drugs while in methadone treatment, there is a cost savings as well and other benefits that last for years.

In 2002, the cost for methadone treatment was between $10,000 and $17,000 per year. Just taking methadone during treatment was not as cost effective as taking methadone combined with other services.  These other services include vocational counseling, individual therapy, marital and family counseling, relapse prevention counseling, and psychiatric treatment. The more treatment a patient received, the more money that was saved. The actual cost to provide services in a methadone treatment clinic is about $4,100 per year.

So how much is the methadone treatment cost for you going to be?  This will vary from clinic to clinic along with your income.  If you are paying entirely cash and out of pocket, you could be responsible for all you treatment. This could be $5000 to $10,000.  This is so unusual that it is almost not worth mentioning.  Most people I’ve seen on the web are talking about paying between $50 and $300 out of pocket with the average being around $150.

Getting Help With The Methadone Treatment Cost

Most people should be able to get the help with the cost for methadone treatment.  The first place to start is to find a call a methadone treatment center by you. Look one up in a methadone treatment center directory. The social worker and administrative staff at your local methadone maintenance treatment facility should be quite good at helping you find help with finances.  Many facilities will work on a sliding scale.

If you have no money at all, your State Medicaid offices may be able to supply you with health insurance.  If you have private insurance, make sure to call them too.

Methadone Treatment Cost and the Benefits of Methadone Treatment

There are many benefits of methadone maintenance treatment. Methadone clinics provide a place for the addict to talk to someone.  Most addicted individuals have other psychiatric issues that need to be addressed including depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia.  Methadone clinics are able to provide psychiatric treatment.

The number of people in 2002 addicted to opiates and heron in the United States was about 1 million. About 20% receive treatment through methadone maintenance.  Despite the out of pocket cost to patients and the cost to run the clinics, this treatment has been very valuable to many.  Here are some benefits of treatment:

  • Reduced crime
  • More productive
  • Reduced (or stopped) drug use
  • Less chance of suicide
  • Improved employment
  • Better health
  • Decrease in chance of premature death
  • Pregnancies go better
  • Family becomes stable

Other Methadone Treatment Cost Resources

National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery

The Cost of Methadone Treatment: Results from a National Sample of Treatment Programs : Abstract

Suboxone Treatment Directory And Methadone Treatment Directory

Dr. Rich is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with licenses in Texas and Hawaii. He specializes in the treatment of opioid addiction with buprenorphine and runs a FREE locator service to find Methadone Treatment including Suboxone treatment for oxycontin addiction. Suboxone Treatment Clinic in your area.
Dr. Rich has written more articles on the cost of oxycontin, buprenorphine (Suboxone) including frequently asked questions and a recent post : Suboxone Treatment : What To Expect With Narcotic Treatment

Methadone Side Effects

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Methadone Side Effects : What You Should Know

methadone side effects

methadone side effects

Methadone side effects are usually minimal if the methadone is taken as prescribed and the patient uses common sense.  All medications have some side effects.  Patients should not have to worry about having problems with methadone side effects in general.

Skip and Go Here Now to Find Out About Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Skip and Go Here For Immediate Methadone Overdose Help

For most patients, the benefits of taking methadone far outweigh the risks of the medication and treatment. Methadone will stop cravings for other narcotics. It will allow a person to have steady employment and be able to take care of their family.  Methadone maintenance treatment reduces crime, legal problems, and transmission of blood borne diseases.

The major one of the methadone side effects is the risk of overdose and death.  As long as the patient is not drinking alcohol, taking sedative medications, and has all their legal and illegal drugs reviewed by their doctor, this should not happen.  Overdose from methadone usually happens either intentionally (suicide) or when injected. When methadone is increased slowly under supervision, this risk is very small.

Since methadone is an opioid, it is addictive.  Suddenly stopping methadone suddenly with cause opioid withdrawals. Methadone can be abused like all narcotic drug.  The side effects below are described for individual properly taking the medication under medical supervision.

Methadone Side Effects List :

  • constipation
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • decreased appetite
  • sedation
  • weight gain
  • flushing
  • abdominal pain
  • weakness
  • urination problems
  • mood swings
  • swelling of limbs
  • decreased libido
  • difficulty with sleep
  • skipped menstrual periods
  • vision changes

Serious Side Methadone Side Effects : Call Your Doctor Immediately:

  • rash or hives (allergy)
  • seizures
  • itching (allergy)

Rare but possible

 

Summary of Methadone Side Effects

Methadone is a very safe and effective medication used in the treatment of opioid addiction.  When taken as prescribed, it us safe and a person should be able to function well at school or work.  Methadone is most dangerous when taken in doses higher than prescribed. Intravenous use of methadone increases the risk of respiratory depression (stopping breathing). Allergic reactions need to be addressed immediately. The major complaints from individuals from patient survey appear to be weight gain, constipation, and sexual dysfunction.  If you are having trouble with methadone side effects, consider talking with your doctor reducing the dose of methadone, looking for methadone interactions with other medications you are taking, or using a similar medication like Suboxone.

More resources for Methadone Side Effects:

FDA Post Marketing Safety Information on Methadone

Methadone Hydrochloride Monograph

Methadone MedlinePlus Information

Suboxone Treatment Information : An Alternative to Methadone Treatment

FDA Methadone FAQ Section for Healthcare Professionals

Even more resources for methadone:

Methadone Support Groups

Pictures of Methadone

Suboxone Treatment Directory And Methadone Treatment Directory

Dr. Rich is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with licenses in Texas and Hawaii. He specializes in the treatment of opioid addiction with buprenorphine and runs a FREE locator service to find Methadone Treatment including Suboxone treatment of oxycontin addiction. Suboxone Treatment Clinic in your area.
Dr. Rich has written more articles on the cost of oxycontin, buprenorphine (Suboxone) including frequently asked questions and a recent post : How Do I Find A Suboxone Physician?

What is Methadone Treatment ? Facts On This Opioid Addiction Treatment

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Methadone Treatment Basic Facts

Information on the website of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) features the following information about methadone treatment for people who are having problems with opiate addiction:

  • Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) began in the 1960’s. Medication along with vocational and social counseling is part of methadone treatment
  • Untreated Opioid Addiction costs 20 Billion dollars per year

    Methadone Treatment and Methadone Maintenance

    Methadone Treatment and Methadone Maintenance

  • Up to 10,000 people die per year from IV drug use
  • Methadone Treatment stops opioid cravings
  • Methadone Treatment stops opioid withdrawal
  • Methadone is taken once per day
  • 70-80% of Methadone Patients have Hepatitis B
  • Methadone Maintenance Treatment is very effective
  • Methadone Treatment is available in most cities

Problems with opioids have gone back hundred’s of years. Some treatment approaches need a very high level of motivation (abstinence, therapeutic communities, step programs) and are not helpful for many. Methadone treatment can help on it’s own, or help those where other addiction treatment has not helped. So what’s in it for you?

The Benefits of Methadone Treatment:

  • Patients stop or reduce injecting drugs
  • Reduction of the use of opioid drugs
  • Decrease of transmission of blood borne illnesses
  • Patients have healthier babies
  • Patients have more stable employment and a more stable family
  • 30% reduction in early death
  • Less criminal activity

Methadone Treatment : How Safe is It?

Using an opioid that is prescribed and monitored by a physician for the treatment of opioid addiction has been used in the United States since the 1800’s.  In fact, around 1914 several thousand doctors went to prison for prescribing opioids to their addicted patients after the Harrison Act. It prohibited this type of drug treatment. Only until recently, have patients been getting steered by society toward treatment. Between 1914 and around 1970, addiction was basically criminalized and many simply ended up in jail.

Methadone treatment has been studied since the 1960’s.  The White House Drug Policy Fact Sheet on Methadone states the following “When methadone is taken under medical supervision, longterm maintenance causes no adverse effects to the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, bones, blood, brain, or other vital body organs.”  When taken appropriately, methadone doesn’t have serious side effects.  The are some side effects of methadone (and a related medication suboxone).

When taken as directed, methadone will not cause a problem with your employment.  You will not suffer from a change in your intelligence from methadone treatment. You should be able to drive without problems with being sedated.  Although methadone is an opioid medication, at the correct dose, it will not cause a person to “get high” and it will prevent any opioid withdrawals from occurring.

Methadone treatment has been the standard for treating opioid addicted pregnant patients.  The substance abuse and mental health administration has a pamphlet that discusses this information in more detail. We now have 40 years of experience managing patients on methadone who are pregnant.

Finally, methadone treatment is highly monitored. In fact, it is one of the most monitored treatments in the United States.  The chain from the methadone manufacturer all the way down to the requirements of clinic are watched closely.  The Drug Enforcement Administration along with State Agencies keep close tabs on the clinics to ensure their safety.

Summary of Methadone Treatment Facts:

Methadone treatment is a highly monitored, safe treatment for opioid addicted individuals.  We have over 40 years of experience with the use of methadone and it has been well studied.  Methadone has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals break the cycle of addiction, get back their families, and maintain employment. It keep people out of prison and improves their lives. See the links below for more methadone treatment information including suboxone treatment.

Here are some other methadone treatment useful links:

Suboxone Treatment : This is another alternative for the treatment of Opioid Addiction. It is a medication based treatment and works well.  This site has a suboxone doctor directory and helpful articles on suboxone.

Centers for Disease Control : This link will bring you directly to the the source pdf for this article.

White House Drug Policy : This link brings you to more information on methadone and other sources. It is another pdf file.

Suboxone Treatment Directory And Methadone Treatment Directory

Dr. Rich is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with licenses in Texas and Hawaii. He specializes in the treatment of opioid addiction with buprenorphine and runs a FREE locator service to find Methadone Treatment including Suboxone treatment of oxycontin addiction. Find a Suboxone Treatment Clinic in your area.
Dr. Rich has written more articles on the cost of oxycontin, buprenorphine (Suboxone) including frequently asked questions and a recent post : How Do I Find A Suboxone Physician?

A morphine/heroin vaccine with new hapten design attenuates behavioral effects in rats

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Conclusion:  These results suggest that immunization with a novel vaccine is an effective means of inducing a morphine�specific antibody response that is able to attenuate the behavioral and psychoactive effects of heroin. (Source: Journal of Neurochemistry)

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Opioid Addiction : 10 Questions For You

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Opioid Addiction: The Problem

Opioid Addiction : 10 Questions If You Have It

Opioid Addiction : 10 Questions If You Have It

Opioid addiction is a major problem in the United States.  Statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse indicate that there were almost 10 million abusers of prescription drugs in 2009. The number of people overdosing on prescription narcotics (by accident or not) has tripled since 1999. Seniors in high school are using prescriptions (10%).  Most recreational use of these prescriptions comes from friends or family members. Oxycontin has become a real problem.

Many people began using opioids for a medical issue such as leg pain, only to have their use become an opioid addiction. Others began by partying in high school only to find they needed to keep using. Many people then wonder if they have an addiction. They want to stop the medication, but they are starting to have problems like withdrawals. They may have never had addictive problems before. Here are some signs of opioid addiction:

Top 10 Signs of an Opioid Addiction

1. You sell items in your house and use the money for opioids-another almost sure sign of addiction.
2. You keep using opioids despite problems such as money, family, legal, or medical problems.
3. You are involved with other drugs of abuse. Having an addiction to alcohol or other drugs of abuse makes you at a greater risk of developing one with narcotics.
4. You go to perilous places, have dealings with questionable people to obtain pills. Seeking opioids in dangerous situations is usually a good sign of a problem.
5. Family or friends say you use too much pain medication. There are arguments over your use.
6. Your day is spent thinking of the drug or trying to find it.
7. You go to more than one doctor for pain medication.
8. You take prescriptions from your spouse or others. Taking other’s prescriptions is a sign of a problem.
9.You are take more pain medication than prescribed by your physician .
10. You skip or are late to family and work responsibilities to use of obtain opioids.

Avoid Opioid Addiction

Opioid medications have been a savior for people with pain. However, there has been an increase in the number of people with addiction problems from these medications as they have become more widely available…and diverted.  The first way to avoid Opioid addiction is to only use prescription medication under the care of a single physician. Having different doctors prescribing narcotics to you will eventually cause problems. Always talk to your physician before changing the dose of your prescription.

The next way to avoid problems with opioids is to discuss with your physician  alternative chronic pain treatments such as massage or acupunture. There are other alternative treatments. We are finding that chronic pain does not get better with narcotics, so it is worthwhile to look into other treatments for the pain including weight loss, exercise, non-narcotic medications, surgery, stretching, and getting adequate sleep. All these should be discussed with your doctor.

Opioid Addiction Signs Recap

There are many signs of opioid addiction. Others easily see the problems caused by the opioid use and usually will tell you. Other signs are doctor shopping, escalating your dose to high levels over time, and having family, social, and employment problems from the opioid. Be sure to periodically talk with your doctor about getting off opioid medications and if this would be the right choice for you. Long-term opioid use can be more harmful than helpful.

Here is more help on Opioid Addiction Help and Treatment

  • All About Suboxone : A website that discusses the use of Suboxone for the treatment of opioid dependence.  It also contains a doctor and clinic directory to find help near you.
  • Oxycontin Treatment Directory: Site devoted to Oxycontin Addiction. It contains a database to find treatment help in your area
  • National Library of Medicine: This link specifically discusses opioid dependence.


Can the Chronic Administration of the Combination of Buprenorphine and Naloxone Block Dopaminergic Activity Causing Anti-reward and Relapse Potential?

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We describe a mechanism whereby
chronic blockade of opiate receptors, in spite of only partial opiate agonist action, may ultimately block dopaminergic activity
causing anti-reward and relapse potential. While the direct comparison is not as yet available, toxicity to buprenorphine
can be found in the scientific literature. In considering our cautionary note in this commentary, we are cognizant that, to
date, this is what we have available, and until such a time when the real magic bullet is discovered, we will have to endure.
However, more than anything else this commentary should at least encourage the development of thoughtful new strategies to
target the specific brain regions responsible for relapse prevention.

Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-19DOI 10.1007/s12035-011-82…

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