Methadone and other drugs

Methadone is one of the “hard” drugs, it is generally consumed after other addictive substances. According to experts (*), there is a great variety of therapeutic options for heroin addiction, among which there are medications and behavior therapy. Combining treatment based on medication with other support services makes it possible for the addicted person to stop using heroin (or other opioids) and go back to a more stable and productive life.

Some years ago, the National Institutes of Health of USA (NIH) formed a Census Group on the Efficient Treatment of Drug Addiction. This group of experts concluded that addictions to opioids are brain diseases and medical disorders that can be efficiently treated.

Among the proposed measures, the group of experts firmly recommended greater access to therapy programs based on methadone for people addicted to heroin and other opioids. This made it necessary to eliminate all barriers, legal, economic or otherwise, that obstruct access to these programs.

On the other hand, the importance of offering psychological guidance against the abuse of these substances, psychosocial therapies and other patient support services was highlighted, for promoting retention and success of methadone-based maintenance treatments.

Methadone, a synthetic opioid medication that obstructs the effects of heroin during 24 hours, has a proven success history when it is prescribed in high concentrations to heroin addicts. LAAM, which is also a synthetic opioid for treating heroin addiction, can prevent the effects of heroin for up to 72 hours. Other authorized products are naxolone, which is used for treating overdoses and naltrexone, which obstructs the effects of morphine, heroin and other opioids. Other medications are also being studied for their use in treatment programs against heroin.

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