According to the National Institute of Health, methadone was first used in the 1960's to treat addiction to heroin. Since heroin and methadone are both opiates, heroin addicts who replace their heroin use with methadone do not undergo withdrawal. Other than a spate of papers in the 1980's, the interaction between methadone and alcohol is poorly researched. That notwithstanding, the NIH suggests that people taking methadone remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this methadone.
Synergistic Effect
A 1983 article in the "Journal of Analytic Toxicology" reported that alcohol and methadone have a synergistic effect. This means that the combination of the drugs produces a stronger effect than either of the drugs separately. The authors of this paper found that ingestion of alcohol significantly increased peak methadone concentrations in the addict's blood. Moreover, methadone depressed the elimination of alcohol, possibly by altering intestinal motility. This finding was confirmed in a 1987 paper published in "Recent Advances in Alcoholism."
Increased Drowsiness
The National Institute of Health warns that methadone can slow breathing and urges that users seek medical help immediately upon experience shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, faintness or difficulty breathing. Since alcohol exacerbates these symptoms through it's synergistic effect with methadone, patients should exercise caution when combining these drugs.
Benefits
The National Alliance of Methadone Advocates reminds patients that the Federal Food and Drug Administration stopped excluding polydrug abusers, including alcoholics, from entering methadone maintenance program in 1993. They noted that there is often a significant decrease in the use of alcohol and other substances upon entered a maintenance program.
References
- Journal of Analytical Toxicology: valuation of the methadone-alcohol interaction
- Recent Developments in Alcoholism: Mechanisms of Depressant Drug Action/Interaction
- Pub Meds Health: Methadone
- Drugs: Methadone
- National Alliance of Methadone Advocates: Methadone 101
- National Alliance of Methadone Advocate: Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Clinical Issues
