Methadone

Opiates are derived from the opium poppy. Opium is the dried milk of the opium poppy. It contains morphine and codeine, both effective painkillers.

Methadone is one of a number of synthetic opiates (also called opioids) that are manufactured for medical use and have similar effects to heroin. These include dihydrocodeine (DF118s), pethidine (often used in childbirth), diconal, palfium and temgesic.

Methadone and subutex (buprenorphine) are used as substitutes for heroin in the treatment of heroin addiction.

ID: methadone, methadone mixture, meth, linctus, physeptone.

Other synthetic opiates include: DF118 (dihydrocodeine), pethidine, diconal (containing dipipanone), palfium (dextromoramide) and temgesic or subutex (buprenorphine).

Appearance and use

The methadone that's prescribed to people trying to come off heroin is usually a syrup which is swallowed. Pethidine, dihydrocodeine (DF118s), diconal, palfium, temgesic and also some types of methadone come in tablet or injectable form.

Effects can start quickly and can last several hours but this varies with how much is taken and how much the drug is taken.

Cost

The street cost of methadone is £1 per 10ml.

Purity

Methadone that is prescribed by a doctor is subject to stringent controls, as with any other medicine so you can be sure it's unadulterated. You can't be as sure with methadone that's bought on the street.

The effects

• Opiates are sedative drugs that depress the nervous system. They slow down body functioning and stop physical and psychological pain. The effect is usually to give a feeling of warmth, relaxation and detachment.
• Methadone stops people feeling anxious.
• See also the effects of heroin.

There is a flip side:

• They make the pupils in the eye go like pinheads and make users constipated.
• Some people are sick the first time they take drugs like Methadone and if you are a woman they can stop you having regular periods (but you can still conceive).

Chances of getting hooked

Opiates are highly addictive see Heroin. Methadone doesn't deliver the same degree of buzz or high like heroin. It allows people to tackle their psychological addiction and stabilize their lifestyle when used as a substitute for heroin in treatment it stops withdrawal symptoms. Then the dose can be reduced slowly until that user is off the drug completely. When used to come off heroin there are still problems with withdrawal but there are much less severe than 'cold turkey' that occurs when stopping heroin.

The risks

• People taking opiates for the first time can be sick, but these unpleasant reactions fade with time.
• With high doses the sedation takes over and users feel sleepy. Too much and you can fall into a coma or stop breathing completely.
• Many women don't have periods when they use opiates regularly. If they cut down or stop the periods may return. There's a good chance of getting pregnant during this time if you don't use contraception.
• There's no evidence that opiates cause birth defects, although they may possibly increase the risk of miscarriage and still births and opiate users may give birth to smaller babies.
• It's not a good idea to stop using opiates suddenly if you're pregnant as this can cause premature labour and miscarriage.
• If you do feel drowsy do not attempt to drive. Your driving licence is invalid on methadone unless agreed by the DVLA with medical advice.

The law

Morphine, opium, methadone, pethadine and Diconal are Class A drugs. Codeine and dihyrocodeine (DF118) are Class B drugs. Temgesic and Distalgesic are Class C drugs.