[msdc_13]

Well I heard from the news that Anna Nicole Smith died due to Methadone.... I'm curious about this drug? Where do you use this for? Is this addictive? Thank you

[mpvt]

Methadone was discovered in Germany during WWII and was given the name dolophine.It is one of the most studied drugs around.The germans weren't able to get morphine for their injured soldiers so that is how methadone came to be.In the sixties there were 2 scientists that were conductiong an experiment with heroin addicts.When the experiment was over they used methadone instead of morphine ( I don't know if this was intentional or not).They found that these guys were acting different.They were getting active and their moods were elevated.One asked if they had any paint there as he hadn't painted in years due to being an addict.So that's how methadone got started for use on heroin addicts.It is also used now for addicts abusing morphine,dilaudid fentanyl ect.It is meant to be used by hardcore addicts.Methadone has a long half-life making even more advantages because the addict only needs to take it once a day.Metrhadone patients that are stable are usually back to work or school within the first year of treatment.Unfortunetly methadone has been prescribed to people that have no right being on it and some end up dying.The stigma's attached to methadone are there because the drug is being abused along with other drugs like benzodiazepines and anti-depressents which when combined can cause respitory failure ieannelle Smith(Anna Nicoles son).Methadone is also an exellent pain killer but should only be prescribed to patient with a long history of opiate use.Methadone is a very powerful drug but because it doesn't cause the euphoric high in a addict it can be taken that it's not strong enough so the addict takes more only to fall asleep 4-6 hrs later and die of respitory failure.So that in a nutshell is what methadone is.A very good drug with an unfortunete stigma.....Dave