Methadone

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Methadone-A Treatment?
Methadone is a synthetic opiate. It was first synthesized by a German chemist during World War II and used as an analgesic. Methadone produces almost identical effects of that of morphine, but chemically they are very different. Methadone is used as a detoxification treatment for heroin addicts. It is also used to manage pain in cancer patients. Methadone belongs in the drug family opiates. It is grouped with such drugs as opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opiates date back more than 3,000 years.
Papyrus of Thebes, one of our earliest written records, gave instructions for the use of opium in the treatment of pain. (Hutchings, 1992) Opiates come from the milky juice of the poppy plant, in fact, the word opium comes from the Greek word for vegetable juice. Traces of poppy juice being used to alleviate pain can be found back to the third century B.C. By the 16th century though, the medicinal uses of opium were widely known across Europe. It was even written in 1680 “Among the remedies which it has pleased almighty God to give to man to relieve his suffering, none so universal and so efficacious as opium.” (Hutchings, 1992) During the 1800’s opium was so readily available it could even be purchased at the local grocery stores. Due to death rates

increasing due to opium use, and rising drug-related crime rates, restrictions were implemented on the sale and use of opium in England in 1868. During the 19th century the United States caught on and they started importing opium for use as an aspirin. Physicians openly distribute the drug. You could also purchase opium in the grocery store, general, pharmacies, and even mail order. Many over-the-counter medicines, from teething medicines, to painkillers, could be purchased that contained opium. During the mid to late 19th century opium was very common. Opium dens, places where people would go, usually locat...