If an addict misses a couple of days then their drug tolerance falls and
the previously OK dose may cause severe/fatal effects.
Hang on, hang on! there is NO evidence to support this statement, Methadone
is given once daily and withdrawal does not take place for at least 48 hours
after the last dose - loss of tolerance doesn't develop for ages and the
danger is always after discharge from detox or prison when tolerance is zero
and the addict takes their previous dose. This applies to heroin even more
than Methadone.
Any practice dealing with drug addiction should develop a very close working
relationship with the pharmacy or pharmacies frequented by thier druggies
(we have one main one and 2 others lees used). Rules should be agreed and
not made up by each side according to ideas dreamed up by their different
back wathching professional organisations. All should keep their eye on the
needs of the patient and the aims of the treatment as organised by the
doctors. As in so much of the so called regulation of treatment of
addiction the punitive approach and the overarching wish to prevent leakage
of prescription drugs to the street the guiding philosophy simply gets in
the way of sensible procedures for meeting the needs of this most
underpriviledged and discriminated against group - the true underclass.
Love Rog
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