Lifer of Methadone Maintenance

[misunderstood504]

I am a 37 year old female, with the exception of the 4 years spent at SCI Muncy due to my addiction, I have been on Methadone Maintenance since 1993. Are there any doctors who can prescribe my daily dose as opposed to me going to the clinic?

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

The Harrison Act has been around for over 80 years in the US, making it unlawful to prescribe or administer opioids to treat addiction or to prevent withdrawal.  There are two exceptions;  methadone maintenance, when administered through closely regulated clinics, and DATA 2000, the act that allows for use of schedule III, IV, or V substances that are FDA indicated to treat opioid dependence-- such as Suboxone.

Doctors CAN prescribe methadone for indications other than addiction , and for those patients the doctor can provide a prescription for 30 days of treatment, and up to two additional prescriptions for another 60 days, providing all three scripts are for the same dose and directions for use.  But for addiction, it is illegal to prescribe methadone-- or any other opioid-- except for the two exceptions described above.

[xexe]

Omg thats awful :(.
my bf gets the bone ache.. and stuff alot and takes pain releif to make it go away, wich make his gums bleed. then dabbles once every 4 weeks.. any advice? :o

[misunderstood504]

Thank you for your immediate response, so basically I'm stuck going to the clinic for the rest of my life. Isn't the fact that I have been on maintenance successfully since 1993 taken into consideration? I am not eligible for Suboxone due to my dose [150 mg daily] I was told I have to be on 30mg of methadone to be a Suboxone candidate. Unfortunately that is not an option. I do have severe knee pain, I take alot of advil for the relief. Could the amount I am on be an option for my knees instead of my addiction? Thank you again for your valued time, it is appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Misunderstood504