Private Methadone Programme
What is Methadone?
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Methadone is a man-made opioid (also known as an opiate). Other opioids include codeine, morphine, fentanyl and diamorphine (heroin).
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Methadone is used to help you stop taking heroin. It reduces your withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, shivering and other flu-like symptoms. It also helps stop cravings.
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There are 2 main approaches to stopping heroin:
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Maintenance therapy – where you switch from heroin to a heroin substitute like methadone, then stay on a stable dose of the substitute. You will usually take this long term
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Detox (detoxification) – where you switch from heroin to a substitute like methadone, before gradually withdrawing from the substitute so you're completely free from both
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Some people start taking methadone for maintenance therapy. However many of them go on to detox and become free of heroin and methadone.
How and when is methadone used?
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Methadone is usually prescribed in liquid form, it is swallowed in one go and water can be consumed afterwards if desired
Dosage for heroin addiction
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Doses vary from person to person. The starting dose is based on:
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The amount of heroin you are using
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Whether you are using other drugs or alcohol
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A urine sample (to test for heroin and other drugs)
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Your physical and mental health
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Whether you have had treatment for drug addiction before
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Patients usually start on 10mg to 30mg, taken once a day. This can be increased slowly, until withdrawal symptoms are under control and your cravings stop.
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Many people then take a regular dose of between 60mg and 120mg a day. However your dose may be different.
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