What is methadone? Who abuses methadone? Overdosing on methadone poses an additional risk. In some instances, Methadone is a synthetic (man- It is difficult to gauge the extent of individuals who abuse other narcotics made) narcotic. It is used legally to methadone abuse in the United States (such as heroin or OxyContin) turn to treat addiction to narcotics and to because most data sources that quan- methadone because of its increasing relieve severe pain, often in individu- tify drug abuse combine methadone availability. Methadone, however, does als who have cancer or terminal with other narcotics. This lack of statis- not produce the euphoric rush associ- illnesses. Although methadone has tical information renders it impossible ated with those other drugs; thus, been legally available in the United to describe a typical methadone abuser. these users often consume dangerously States since 1947, more recently it Information provided by the Treatment large quantities of methadone in a vain has emerged as a drug of abuse. This Episode Data Set does reveal that the attempt to attain the desired effect. trend may be driven in part by the number of individuals who were treated ready availability of the drug as it for abuse of “other opiates” (a category Methadone overdoses are associated increasingly is used in the treatment that includes methadone) increased with severe respiratory depression, of narcotic addiction and to relieve dramatically from 28,235 in 2000 to decreases in heart rate and blood chronic pain. 36,265 in 2001. These individuals were pressure, coma, and death. The Drug predominantly Caucasian; they were Abuse Warning Network reports that What does methadone look like? nearly evenly split between males and methadone was involved in 10,725 females and represented various age emergency department visits in Methadone is available as a tablet, groups. 2001—a 37 percent increase from the oral solution, or injectable liquid. previous year. Methadone abuse among high school Howis methadone used? students is a concern. Nearly 1 percent of high school seniors in the United Some methadone tablets are States abused the drug at least once designed to be swallowed intact, while in their lifetime, according to the others are intended to be dissolved first University of Michigan’s Monitoring in liquid. Likewise, methadone is avail- the Future Survey. Street Terms for Methadone able either as a ready-to-drink solution Amidone or as a concentrate, which must be Whatare the risks? mixed first with water or fruit juice. Chocolate chip cookies Methadone also is available as a liquid Individuals who abuse methadone (methadone or heroin combined that is administered via injection. risk becoming tolerant of and physically with MDMA) dependent on the drug. When these Fizzies When used to treat narcotic addic- individuals stop using the drug they Street methadone tion, methadone suppresses withdrawal may experience withdrawal symptoms Wafer symptoms for 24 to 36 hours. Individ- including muscle tremors, nausea, uals who are prescribed methadone for diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal treatment of heroin addiction experi- cramps. ence neither the cravings for heroin nor the euphoric rush that are typically associated with use of that drug. Otherproducts of interest: , Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants , Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth , Drugs,Youth, and the Internet Methadone

DEA Fast FactsFacts Dolophine HCl 5.0 mg methadone hydrochloride. Isabusing methadone illegal? Yes, abusing methadone is illegal. Methadone is a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule II drugs, For moreinformation on illicit drugs which include cocaine and meth- checkout our web site at: amphetamine, have a high poten- tial for abuse. Abuse of these drugs www.usdoj.gov/ndic may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. National Drug Intelligence Center 319 Washington Street, 5th Floor Check out Fast Facts on: Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 + Crack cocaine , Marijuana Telephone: 814-532-4601 FAX: 814-532-4690 , Crystal , MDMA , NDIC Washington Liaison Office , methamphetamine , Methamphetamine 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 Drug-facilitated Methamphetamine McLean, VA 22102-3840 , sexual assault , laboratory hazards Telephone: 703-556-8970 , Drug paraphernalia , OxyContin FAX: 703-556-7807 , DXM , PCP NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: , Fentanyl , Powdered cocaine ADNET http://ndicosa QuestionsQuestions , Foxy , Prescription drugs LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic , Fry , Psilocybin RISS ndic.riss.net andand , GHB and analogs , Ritalin INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic , Heroin , Rohypnol Inhalants Salvia divinorum Call814-532-4541 AnswersAnswers , Jimsonweed , Steroids to request NDIC products , , National Drug Intelligence Center Ketamine Teens and drugs a component of the , Khat , Triple C , , NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-021 U.S. Department of Justice LSD Yaba Cover photo: DEA Methadone HCl 40 mg. 090203