Methadone Information

Methadone (physeptone) is an opiate drug commonly used to counter the effects of opiate withdrawal syndromes without the euphoriant effects of heroin or morphine. The effects of methadone are longer lasting than for heroin, such that it is common to prescribe a daily dose, whereas a heroin user would need to take the drug every 4-6 hours.

Prescribed dosages range from virtually nil up to around 100mg per day, more in special cases, depending on the severity of addiction and stage of treatment (i.e. in a reducing maintenance regime smaller doses are prescribed over time). If too much is prescribed, methadone may be sold on to other users, sometimes with tragic consequences for naive users with no tolerance level who may overdose. However, the general prescribing practice is to allow the addict the minimum quantity required to stabilise his/her condition - the tendency is to underprescribe. If too little is prescribed, addicts will usually supplement their prescription with street heroin.

Methadone was included in the list of named drugs in the IDMU survey for the first time in 1999.. A total of 93 respondents (4.3%) had ever used the drug, (based on age of first use responses rather than frequency data) of those 11 used daily - a relatively high proportion, and similar to the incidence of daily heroin use. Only nine users reported monthly spending, of whom 6 reported "free" (suggesting prescription) and 3 reported positive spending - one at £90 per month, probably reflecting purchase of illicit supplies; the other two spent £5 and £10 respectively, possibly reflecting prescription charges.