Posted by Jason H. on October 19, 2003, at 11:04:48
In reply to Re: Methadone to Diane D., posted by kpo2002 on July 30, 2002, at 11:08:55
I am a recovering heroin addict and have been through both of the previously mentioned treatments (Methadone, and Buprenorphine). I must say that, while Methadone works wonderfully to take care of the major withdrawl symptoms of heroin, to me it simply wasn't an "end-all" solution. It seemed to serve as a substitute for heroin, another fix if you will. In the state where I live, Maryland, methadone is a state regulated and adminstered drug. In my experience this lead to an easy realization that the state of Maryland hadbecome my legal drug dealer. Since the Methadone only acted as a substitute for the heroin, I had been relieved of only the illegalities of buying drugs on the street.
I was first introduced to Buprenorphine in late 1997. As I assume most heroin addicts are, I was extremely skeptical about it and of course thought that the only thing to cure my sickness was to keep doing heroin, or some opiate derivative. Upon taking Buprenorphine, The withdrawl symptoms of the heroin were within an hour removed. I continued to visit the clinic which was giving the injections for 7 days. The clinic did make you come twice per day for a shot since Buprenorphine was still experimental, at least at the clinic I was going to, and the dosage they were allowed to give was minimal. After the period of 7 days, the Buprenorphine was cut off and I expected to still feel most of the withdrawl symtoms, and if anyone knows a heroin or opiate dependent person, they know to them, that just simply wasn't going to fly. To my amazement, I had absolutley no physical withdrawl symptoms from the heroin or Buprenorphine. I have read the above threads on this topic and I must say, from a heroin addicts point of view, this could be a life saving drug.
poster:Jason H.
thread:17065
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031015/msgs/270804.html