Methadone

[nailit]

Story from my local paper,
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/cash-strapped-council-set-cut-1450514

The local council are planning on saving £751,000 by cutting methadone prescriptions for heroin addicts and if it happens here it will happen elsewhere.
Interested in hearing your thoughts on denying treatment to addicts?
I personally think its both cruel and short sighted. Surely if addicts are denied appropriate treatment, then they will only end up costing us more in the long run with increased crime?

[nailit]

//it's what is in their heads that needs sorting//
Exactly Mally. Getting off substances is relatively easy, staying of them is something else.

[youngmafbog]

Slightly off topic but it has always seemed strange to me how we fund drug addicts.

After all do we give gamblers hand out in the bookies or free vodka to the alcoholics?

Surely it is the cause not the symptom that needs to be treated?

[bednobs]

my question would be what are COUNCILS doing prescribing methadone? This is NHS territory, surely?

[Mamyalynne]

There are a variety of treatments for those with Alcohol Abuse issues, including medication.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/treatment/#medication-for-alcohol-dependency

[ummmm]

Pure ignorance, Dave. Many many addicts are numbing their feelings. Unless you know their history you're not in a place to judge.

[murraymints]

addiction of any kind is a terrible thing..not many choose to live like that, it becomes a need rather than want, and struggle daily with their demons... a downwards spiral is difficult to get off without help from wherever and whoever...desperation can lead to tragedy... there but for the Grace of God....

[cassa333]

Methadone shouldn't just be given out. It should only be given to addicts as part of a rehab scheme.

[david small]

Self inflicted drug users had a choice. Recreational drug abuse turns into a necessity. Lots of folk need a crutch in life, and stuff happens. For the life of me I cannot understand taking the poison in the first place. The council decided to cut the free supply,wonder what will happen.

[jourdain2]

Like most people (I think) I feel for those who have become addicted. But funds are scarce and others are suffering from lack of cash injections because the money is going to addicts. I was once a smoker, it really was hard to give it up - but I did it (I wrote exhortations and reasons on card and stuck them all around the house). This was 36 years ago and I had cravings until about 8 years ago. No-one helped me and I did it. It hurt.

A gradual withdrawal programme should be offered, together with a Walk-In emergency clinic, but drug addicts should be encouraged to quit completely and supported to do so, not fed methadone infinitum.

[nailit]

//The council decided to cut the free supply,wonder what will happen.//
Doesnt take a lot to work out that the crime rate will go up.

[murraymints]

methadone is worth as much as heroin on the streets here.. it used to be given out in week supplies in a bottle...had a client drink the whole lot in front of me once..serious OD...blue lights and he only just survived... has to be taken on pharmacy premises now... in decreasing amounts over a period of time it can work...but but... the addict wants to use it as a means of withdrawal and not just an additional free fix daily, which is what happens sadly... issue of methadone should be conditional on counselling /psych help in tandem for those who DO want to get clean..

[nailit]

Ive known a lot of addicts over the years Minty. Some DID get clean using methadone (in tandem with councelling etc) and went on to make successful lives for themselves. Sadly others didn't make it.
I wish people didn't label all addicts as dirty scumbags. Unless we've lived their life then we can have no idea why they went down that route.

[murraymints]

agree Nailit... it's a lifestyle that some just slip into and can't get out of.... but I know several who have done so successfully and one lad is now very prominent in the business of helping and support groups for addicts up here.... can't stereotype users at all... many are functioning and to the outward eye appear very successful business types..but under the facade there is turmoil and misery.... one should never judge, often the back story is very sad

[nailit]

//often the back story is very sad//
Exactly. The side of their life that we don't see.

[mallyh]

agree nailit ,addicts I've spoken to all want to get clean ,my son is desperate to get clean but it's a battle everyday ,he is going into rehab again .I can't understand why he went down that path, he had the same upbringing as his sister ,a lot of his year from school went that way too. many no longer with us .I absolutely hate drug dealers .but taking away methadone will as you say increase crime .

[nailit]

Ive read ur posts over the years mally re: ur son. Cant imagine what it must be like for you. As Ive said, Ive know lots of addicts over the years but the ones who managed to get clean only did so after several attempts. Theres hope yet.

[murraymints]

often peer pressure Mally..wishing him all the best at this attempt...

[nailit]

//I can't understand why he went down that path, he had the same upbringing as his sister//
Not always about upbringing. As someone who struggles everyday with alcohol addiction I can say that sometimes its whats going on in the head, the stuff that others cant see.

[mallyh]

thanks ,i hope it works as i fear his time is running out .

[nailit]

And as minty says, sometimes peer pressure.