Methadone is a synthetic narcotic that relieves pain. It was first produced in the 1930 's by German scientists searching for a painkiller that would be less addictive than morphine. Years later during World War II, because of the shortage of morphine and other pain medications, another team of German scientists began researching and synthesizing the substance again. By the end of the war, the United States had obtained the rights to this drug and named it Methadone. In 1947 methadone was introduced into the United States to be used as a pain reliever, but eventually, its usefulness in treating narcotic addictions was uncovered. As heroin addiction became more frequent, researchers began to search for a substance that could reduce or eliminate
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In 1971, methadone treatment for opiate dependence began to expand and the Federal Government developed regulations governing the use of methadone in the treatment of heroin addiction; final regulations were published in …show more content…
I find myself battling back and forth or whether or not I thing using methadone as a treatment for addiction is right or wrong. Would I give someone who is and alcoholic a shot of alcohol to help them abstain from drinking? Why do we give addicts small amounts of drugs to help them stay off drugs? Are we really helping them free themselves from addiction or just putting a Band-Aid on in order to hide the problem we as a society have created. I feel that there is an accuse for everything and that people no longer are held accountable for the choices they make. That’s when I start to think about all the people with diabetes. When a person is diabetic because they are obese they are prescribed insulin to maintain their health. In many cases if the person makes healthy choices they no longer need insulin. Is giving methadone to an addict the same as giving insulin to an obese person with diabetes the same? In both cases they made the choices that lead them to their problem. In both cases, if the drug is not given the person could die. In both cases they could possibly solve their problem without the aid of a drug. How can one be ok and the other be wrong?
With these questions weighing on me as I write this, I find myself having to return to my core values to try and sort out my thoughts. In the end, I side with scientific studies and research over my personal feelings about this controversy. While methadone can treat addiction, and chronic use can create physical
In 1971, methadone treatment for opiate dependence began to expand and the Federal Government developed regulations governing the use of methadone in the treatment of heroin addiction; final regulations were published in …show more content…
I find myself battling back and forth or whether or not I thing using methadone as a treatment for addiction is right or wrong. Would I give someone who is and alcoholic a shot of alcohol to help them abstain from drinking? Why do we give addicts small amounts of drugs to help them stay off drugs? Are we really helping them free themselves from addiction or just putting a Band-Aid on in order to hide the problem we as a society have created. I feel that there is an accuse for everything and that people no longer are held accountable for the choices they make. That’s when I start to think about all the people with diabetes. When a person is diabetic because they are obese they are prescribed insulin to maintain their health. In many cases if the person makes healthy choices they no longer need insulin. Is giving methadone to an addict the same as giving insulin to an obese person with diabetes the same? In both cases they made the choices that lead them to their problem. In both cases, if the drug is not given the person could die. In both cases they could possibly solve their problem without the aid of a drug. How can one be ok and the other be wrong?
With these questions weighing on me as I write this, I find myself having to return to my core values to try and sort out my thoughts. In the end, I side with scientific studies and research over my personal feelings about this controversy. While methadone can treat addiction, and chronic use can create physical