Methadone – Worse than Heroin?

Last week, I was doing an errand in a Department of Social Services office where people go to apply for welfare and food stamps.  I overheard 2 young, clean cut men talking.  They had just bumped into each other and were catching up.  From their conversation, I could glean that they had both been in a detox center together.  One fellow asked the other if he had relapsed.  The response was yes, but he was okay now because he was on methadone. Upon hearing that, I felt very sad for this young man. Methadone is a terrible drug and just as addictive and deadly as heroin.

Why Methadone is Used

Methadone blocks the “high” that people feel when they use opiates like heroin, morphine or codeine.  Unfortunately, methadone is highly addictive and can cause even harsher withdrawal symptoms if a person attempts to stop taking it.  Methadone users can develop a tolerance to methadone (like other drugs) that requires higher and higher dosages to get the same result.  There are more deaths from methadone overdoses than heroin.  And yet this “treatment” is used frequently for heroin addicts.

Natural Solutions to Drug Addiction

When a person uses a toxic substance over a long period of time, their body becomes deficient in many nutrients. The depletion of nutrients is a contributing factor to the unpleasant side-effects of drug withdrawal.  The withdrawal symptoms can be so overwhelming, even when a person wants to stop taking the drug, they can’t.  If you have ever stopped drinking caffeine or given up cigarettes, you have probably experienced withdrawal symptoms.  Withdrawal from these substances, however, are very mild compared to someone trying to stop a  drug like heroin.

Nutrients to Help with Drug Detoxification

Thankfully, there is a world of natural substances that can aid a person during the often painful, and always stressful stages of withdrawal.

Herbs – There are many herbs that can help with relaxation, sleep and stress such as Kava Kava, Chamomile, Passionflower, Licorice, Valerian and Lavender.  Ginkgo Biloba is also good for circulation and memory.

Homeopathy – This is an excellent mode of natural healing for the addict.  It is best to work directly with a homeopath.  There is a formula called “Rescue Remedy” that can be purchased at health food stores that is very good for anxiety and stress.

Vitamins –  Lethargy, skin problems, memory loss and depression are usually symptoms of vitamin deficiencies. The B vitamins, as well as vitamin C are crucial to help restore the health of a drug addict. The DW Formula, used in detox centers around the world for decades, was developed to help addicts get through withdrawal symptoms. It contains a full range of vitamins and nutrients to help the addict recover.

Minerals – Magnesium, one of the most important nutrients for the body, gets depleted rapidly through drug use.  Using a formula such as LIFE BLEND can help restore vital magnesium and mineral levels.

If you, or someone you know, needs help withdrawing from a drug, find a good holistic practitioner to help. Do not use drugs for withdrawal. More drugs always result in more problems.

To your Health!

Peter Gillham