C.F. Levinthal, in his 2002 book titled, "Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society," describes methadone as a synthetic opiate. Methadone has a controversial history but its efficacy in the treatment of pain has been empirically supported. In their 2004 publication, "Principles and Practice of Pain Medicine," C.A. Warfield and Z.H. Bajwa write that methadone has been used in the treatment of chronic pain patients, including children with cancer. Since it is administered orally, many patients find it a more desirable option to other types of pain medication. Due to its high efficacy as an opiate agonist, methadone is also regularly administered as a replacement narcotic for individuals undergoing heroin addiction recovery. Methadone also has some psychological effects.
Pleasure and Euphoria
Euphoria is a psychological state, usually characterized by an extreme sense of well being. Many first-time methadone recipients experience euphoria, but this is often a transitional side effect. Opioids, like methadone, can excite pleasure centers in the brain, thus resulting in feelings of euphoria and pleasantness. H. Fernandez writes in his 1998 book titled, "Heroin," that during the 20th century, a team of scientists working for the Narcotics Committee of the Health Research Council of New York City found promising neurological and psychological benefits among patients administered methadone. For example, the euphoria usually associated with opiate-analgesics dissipated as methadone patients achieved a tolerance dosage. This enabled patients to function with more coherence in daily tasks rather than nodding off, a typical side effect of illicit narcotics. Opioid abusers in recovery, who reached dosage levels ranging from 80mg to 120mg, reported that during relapse, the euphoric effects from illicit drugs such as heroin were successfully blocked. In effect, when an addict relapses, the heroin will have minimal effect on them, reducing the likelihood of continued psychological and chemical dependence to illicit opioids.
Problems with Immediate Recall and Learning
According to M.H. Ashcraft, in the 2002 edition of "Cognition," cognitive functions include psychological mechanisms like problem solving, attention, intelligence and memory. Research has shown that some drug abuse recovery patients enrolled in methadone maintenance programs, show deficits in cognitive functions. M. Z. Mintzer, M.L. Copersino, & M.L. Stitzer published a 2005 article titled, "Opioid Abuse and Cognitive Performance," in the journal "Drug and Alcohol Dependence." In the article, authors report that when compared to sustained, recovered opioid abusers not taking methadone and healthy controls, participants on methadone maintenance therapy showed cognitive deficits, as measured by learning and immediate recall tasks.
Reduced Psychosis
Although researchers debate the efficacy of methadone in the treatment of psychosis and other psychological disorders, Gerald McKenna published some interesting findings in his 1982 "Annals New York Academy of Sciences" article titled, "Methadone and Opiate Drugs: Psychotropic Effect and Self-Medication." The author notes some interesting case studies of individuals who reported clinically significant reduction in psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions after receiving methadone. Methadone was also found to be more effective treating patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia compared to patients with major depressive disorder.
No Negative Long-Term Psychological Effects from Methadone
Surprisingly, methadone has not been correlated with long-term psychological impairment, at least according to researchers cited in the Methadone Research Web Guide and published by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. One caveat for success is assuming that methadone patients have a healthy level of social and psychological functioning. In a follow-up study including 150 methadone recipients, the majority of participants reported improved psychological functioning after two and half years of being placed on methadone treatment.
References
- "Cognition. (3rd ed);" M.H. Ashcraft; 2002
- "Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society. (3rd.ed.);" C.F. Levinthal; 2002
- "Heroin;" H. Fernandez; 1998.
- "Drug and Alcohol Dependence;" Opioid Abuse and Cognitive Performance; M.Z. Mintzer, M.L. Copersino & M.L. Stitzer; 2005
- "Principles and Practice of Pain Medicine;" C.A. Warfield and Z.H. Bajwa; 2004
