Combining pain medicines with other sedative drugs, such as Valium, Xanax, & Klonipin can increase the toxicity of the pain medication, especially Methadone. Only take other medications, if directed by the prescribing doctor.
5. Ask Questions
Don't be afraid to question the prescribing of medications you don't feel comfortable with. Remember, the doctor is working for you. If a doctor refuses to take the time to answer your questions then find another doctor who will.
Actually all scripts these days should be locked up but especially narcotics and absolutely Methadone.If consumed by children or other family members, or stolen and sold on the street, prescription medicine can kill. Whether it is right or wrong if someone gets hold of your medication (in particular Methadone) takes it and dies you could be charged with MURDER! Check out my "Important Issues" page if you don't believe me. If this medication is locked up you reduce your chances of being held responsible if this should happen.
* Just a quick note about Lock boxes. Not all are created equal. The type many of us use to store our Methadone are easily portable but the latches are flimsy, easily broken, and/or picked with a a hairpin. Instead use a box that requires a removable lock with either a key or combination. I will warn you these can be difficult to find & expensive but I guess compared to spending the rest of your life in jail it is worth the money.
Often as Methadone patients we feel a special bond with the other patients. I mean who else has shared similar experiences as us except these people. They understand where we have been and where we are going. A trait we adopted when were addicts was the ability to keep out mouths shut and our eyes open. If you were a snitch you could find yourself either dead or at least without any meds because you weren't trustworthy. Unfortunately, not everyone goes to the Methadone clinic to get clean. Sometimes people go to obtain Methadone to sell or trade. When this occurs we often will be the first to detect it because who knows an addict better than another addict. You may watch someone slipping their dose into their clothing or spitting it out in the parking lot. You might just notice a vehicle that doesn't belong in the lot. Or you could even hear two patients talking about diverting their methadone or even their urine. Now comes the decision...To tell or not to tell. Lets say you keep quiet. After all it isn't any skin off your back. Right? If they get caught its them that faces the consequences. Right?
Wrong! If they divert their Methadone to someone who dies here is what could happen. They will be charged with Homicide along with anyone else involved. The story will undoubtedly be in the news. Now you have the news, the internet, the community, and who knows who else involved. Your clinic has a bad name, the staff has a bad name and MMT has a bad name. All of this might have been prevented by you going to your counselor privately and telling them what you saw.
1) Personal Care Products (perfumes, mouthwashes, etc.)
2) Cleaning Substances - Household
3) Cough/Cold Products and Antihistamines
4) Pain Relievers (Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.)
5) Plants and Mushrooms
6) Foreign Bodies
7) Topical Ointments and Creams
8) Insecticides and Rat Poisons
9) Antimicrobial (antibiotics, etc)
10) Hydrocarbons (gasoline, kerosene, etc.)