Methadone is a strong opioid medication that a doctor prescribes for a person who has been addicted to opioids. Codeine, morphine, Percocet, OxyContin and heroin are all opioids. When taken as prescribed, methadone is safe. It does not get a person high but it does stop opioid withdrawal for a full day. Street methadone is methadone that is sold or given to someone it was not prescribed for. Prescribed methadone is given to an individual to allow them to attend school or work without suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Some drugs like heroin, crack and even nicotine work quickly but the effects don’t last long. Methadone works just the opposite way. It takes several hours to get the full effect, that’s why it lasts up to 24 hours. There is no rush with methadone but some of its other effects are similar to heroin and OxyContin. If you take too much you can go to sleep and stop breathing. A person who doesn’t understand how methadone works might take a dose and then later take another dose trying to reach a high. Because of this, you can overdose on methadone and never even realize it. Street methadone by itself can kill, but it is especially dangerous to take it with other opioids, alcohol or tranquillizers.
Some people who take prescribed methadone are allowed to take it home. These doses are called ‘carries.’ They may give doses away or sell them. If they are selling them they may dilute (cut) them with water or juice. Diluting it makes it even more dangerous because you never know the true strength of what you are taking. If injury or death occurs to someone you gave or sold methadone to, you can be held criminally responsible.
If you take methadone, don’t use it by yourself. Tell someone what you took and have them monitor you. Don’t forget, the effects can last up to 24 hours even though the dose is absorbed by the body within 15 minutes. Even a small dose of methadone is enough to kill a child. No amount of coffee, cold showers or walking will help a methadone overdose. Get immediate medical help at a hospital. Even if the dose does not kill you, it can leave you with permanent brain damage.
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I always wondered how methadone works and thanks to you, now I know.
ReplyDeleteA buddy of mine got busted for selling his methadone. He was cutting it too. I was amazed that he found so many people who were willing to buy it. I'm still wondering what he was thinking about. He'll be thinking about it too for the next 18 months while he's locked up.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why people would take it if it takes so long to work. Usually they're looking for a quick 'high'. I can also understand how easy it would be to OD on it.
ReplyDeleteWow, a cure that can harm you, especially if you screw it up. I can see why it would be easy to OD especially if the person didn't know it was a slow acting drug.
ReplyDeleteI can't help wondering what people must be thinking when they abuse drugs. Life sucks sometimes, but even that is better than losing touch with reality or dying.
ReplyDelete