I agree that methadone is not the best fit for everyone. For some people with chronic opiate dependence, prescription morphine or heroin has been shown in studies to work better at reducing drug related harm than methadone or non-medical treatments.

While methadone is FAR better than nothing for the long-term opiate-addicted (and complete abstinence is far easier said than done) I am beginning to realize it isn’t necessarily the best possible option for everyone.

I have a contact in Australia who was on methadone for a long while but more recently swapped to oral morphine therapy ~ he says it has done wonders in giving him a life back that methadone left him too tired and depressed to lead… And that’s the problem I have with methadone: depression. I was depressed before I ever got a habit on heroin and have tried and tried to go more than just a day or two without it. But I’m so flat, dull, lifeless I go back to heroin which does many things, but at least it on a good day I might have the wherewithall to cook a meal, go out, do something. On methadone I never want to do anything…

I hate this situation and am desperately seeking a way out. But I am beginning to realize that, for me, methadone might not be the way.

I posted on this a couple of days ago, this is the link, in case you’re interested:

http://gledwood2.blogspot.com/2010/05/5am-heroine.html

Terry Wright (he on the morphine therapy)’s Australian Heroin Diaries:

http://theaustralianheroindiaries.blogspot.com/