Month: February 2020

Methadone is seen as part of the treatment process for those trying to beat heroin addiction. While it can help many it must be known that this opiate can also bring a whole new set of addiction problems into the equation.

What is methadone?

It is a synthetic opiate used for pain relief. One of the reasons it is used by heroin addicts who are trying to kick their habit is that a single dose offers long lasting effects.

The drug works by stimulating the brain’s opioid receptors much in the same way as heroin or morphine, but its chemical make-up is different.

The major difference:

As mentioned, methadone works and offers similar effects to heroin or morphine, but its ability to give far longer lasting effects is the major differentiator.

When taken, methadone is naturally released intro a user’s system far more slowly, and does not wear off anywhere nearly as quickly.

Those taking methadone can find one ‘hit’ lasting anywhere between 8 hours and 2.5 days. It needs to be understood that factors such as the user’s current tolerance to opioids and the amount of methadone taken will affect a user’s craving for more.

Sensible substitute?

Methadone offers similar, but longer lasting effects to heroin so it would seem to be the perfect alternative for those trying to beat heroin addiction.

Using methadone could mean that only one dose a day is required to help ward off cravings for multiple heroin hits. It also prevents the unwanted withdrawal symptoms that are part and parcel of coming off heroin.

So, where is the concern?

It can be seen from the above that because methadone’s effects last that much longer than those of heroin, and therefore makes it the perfect ‘treatment’ to help heroin addicts beat their current addiction.

While the theory is sound, the problem comes with regular use of methadone over a sustained period. Such use leaves a user wide-open to physical and mental issues that are similar to those a heroin addict has.

For heroin users affected in this way they are simply replacing one devastating addiction for another.

Methadone withdrawal – A huge challenge:

Those users who replace heroin dependence with a dependence on methadone have a serious challenge to withdraw from it.

Many drug professionals are now of the opinion that methadone withdrawal is as, if not more difficult to achieve that withdrawing from heroin alone.

Pronounced withdrawal symptoms:

Similar withdrawal symptoms are received by users coming of either heroin or methadone, but the methadone withdrawal symptoms are more pronounced.

The initial stages of withdrawal leave a person feeling as if they have a severe dose of flu. They feel tired, anxious, and restless, suffer from sweating and shivering episodes and bouts of muscle pains and aches. These symptoms are stronger for those coming of methadone.

The same goes for the unwanted effects received as withdrawal continues, both are similar, but the methadone user feels them more acutely.

Consider alternatives:

Any heroin addict looking to beat their addiction should not accept methadone as a treatment without exploring other alternatives.

It is imperative that an experienced drug rehabilitation counsellor is spoken to in order to understand the various methods of treatment that will help a heroin addict beat their dependence in the most positive way.

OxyContin is used legally as a prescribed drug and illegally by recreational users seeking the highs this powerful pain reliever offers.

There are certainly valid reasons for its use, but it must also be noted that this drug has caused extensive damage to those using and abusing it.

What is it?

Introduced to the market as long ago as 1995 OxyContin is a strong, time-released drug. It is primarily used by those who require 24/7 relief from pain. Because of its slow-release qualities a dose lasts around 12 hours.

Users need to be fully aware that it contains oxycodone which is part of the opioid drug family. Other similar drugs include methadone, heroin, morphine and codeine.

Safe to use?

For those who require long-term pain relief and are prescribed it, dangers will be greatly reduced as long as guidelines for use are followed.

The caveat here is that the more regularly the drug is taken the greater the possibility of dependence. This is because the body and mind quickly build a tolerance to the drug.

Increasing tolerance means that more is required to achieve the same effects as previously experienced. If this cycle is allowed to continue then dependence on OxyContin is a possibility.

Dangers of illegal use:

Those using OxyContin in search of illegal highs are opening themselves up to a myriad of problems, not least addiction!

As mentioned, the drug works on a time release basis. Once swallowed initial effects kick-in, after this the special coating allows slow content release to ensure a consistent flow of pain relief.

Recreational users have no such time for delayed time-release. They will either crush the pill to release all of the oxycodone contained, or chew it to ensure full effects are theirs.

It is very easy to underestimate the actual strength and amount of oxycodone being taken and regular abuse is opening the door to a rapid dependence on the drug.

To add to the concerns, many observers believe that using OxyContin for recreational purposes serves as an effective gateway to moving on to heroin.

5 signs that a person is dependent:

Here are 5 signs that will stand out if you are concerned about someone who is abusing OxyContin.

• Changes in personality – As dependence grows so the need for another hit becomes all-consuming. The effects on a person’s mood, levels of energy and level of concentration become very noticeable.
• Socially withdrawn – Loved ones, family and friends will take a back-seat as more time is spent in isolation or with other users.
• Appearance and routine – Diet is disrupted, sleep sporadic, glazed eyes are a given. Many have a constant cough and look permanently run-down. As for personal hygiene, this means little.
• Avoiding responsibilities – If employed, work will often be missed and responsibilities around the home or social obligations will be neglected.
• Highly-strung – Over-reactions to minor issues will be common, as will an unnecessarily defensive attitude. It is also common to speak harshly and out of turn to those closest to them.

Don’t dabble with OxyContin:

This is a powerful drug. It is dangerous enough for those who are prescribed it. Abusing it offers a high risk of a rapid dependence and the many unwanted problems this brings with it.

The specter of drugs testing at your place of employment is a worrying cloud many recreational drug users live under. To add to the concern there has also been a noticeable increase in the use of drug testing kits used by law enforcement officers.

So, let’s have a look at some well-established guidelines on drug testing relating to how long traces of a drug can remain in the body and give positive readings (positive for the testers, not for the tested!).

It must be remembered that a variety of factors need to be added into the mix, but these guidelines are generally acknowledged by the medical profession as being reliable.

3 separate categories:

There are 3 regularly used ways in which drug testing is carried out. These are through the blood, urine and hair.

Testing using hair follicles is the least used and drug users will be relieved to hear this because positive results stretch much further back in terms of detection.

This type of testing is worthy of a topic on its own so we will concentrate on the 2 most common methods for those undergoing a drugs test. The results will clearly show the difference between the length of time drugs stay in the bloodstream and can be detected from a urine sample.

It is certainly worth repeating that these statistics are guidelines only and results can, and do vary.

Comment on alcohol and cannabis (marijuana)

We will start with alcohol which is the only legal substance in the list, but it is one that countless people fall foul of.

Cannabis (marijuana) is also included and while laws for the use of this substance are changing in various parts of the world, many users will still find this a useful inclusion.

• Alcohol – It remains in the blood for around 10-12 hours and traces can be found in urine for 3-5 days.
• Amphetamines: 12 hours in the blood and between 1-3 days in urine.
• Cannabis: 2 weeks in the blood and between 1 week and 1 month in urine.
• Cocaine: 1-2 days in the blood and 3-4 days in urine.
• Heroin: 12 hours in the blood and 3-4 days in urine.
• LSD: 2-3 hours in the blood and 1-3 days in urine.
• Ecstasy (MDMA): 1-2 days in the blood and 3-4 days in urine.
• Crystal Meth. (Methamphetamine): 1-3 days in the blood and 3-6 days in urine.
• Methadone: 24-36 hours in the blood and 3-4 days in urine.
• Morphine: 6-8 hours in the blood and 2-3 days in your urine.

Be conscious of the risk:

Temptation has strong pulling power, but please remember that if you indulge in drug use, once taken it is in your system.

Anyone who may be subject to random drug testing would be wise to leave illegal substances alone, those who have scheduled drug tests can at least manage their use and abstain well in advance of the test date.

There is also an important point to make for those who are job hunting. An increasing numbers of companies are making a pre-employment drugs test one of the pre-requisites of any job offer, and that regular testing may well be part and parcel of the position offered to you.