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Addiction to Drugs/Oral Methadone and IV use

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Expert: - 5/20/2009


Question
I have recently been obtaining oral methadone from a friend, not a doctor. I would like to know if citric is required when cooking in a spoon, or is it 'safe' to inject with out citric, or even with out cooking. Thanks for your very important help.

Answer
Hi Michael,

There are a few things to consider with injecting methadone.  Firstly, it should not come out of someone's mouth - as the bacteria in a human mouth is very dangerous.  I will assume it isn't, but if it is, let me know.

You don't need to add citric acid to it.  But, with methadone, you are supposed to dilute with a lot of water.  In a perfect world, you would add ten parts water to one part methadone, but this isn't always possible.  

Another potential problem with injecting oral methadone is the additives.  There are things like sorbitol and can be artificial colours.

Home that helps.

Jacqui

PS.  I am hoping it doesn't have cordial in it.  If it does, let me know

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Jacqui

Experience

Currently a Harm Reduction Adviser for Salvation Centre Cambodia (www.scc.org.kh). Worked in harm reduction in Australia for 10 years. Studied extensively on the topic and have trained others. Psychologist with Clinical Masters. Two significant research projects on drug use (one on HIV risk and its link with trauma and one on drug related stigma).

Organizations
No current formal membership but consider myself a part of the harm reduction community.

Publications
Conference proceedings - IHRC 2004 (Chiang Mai), 2005 (Melbourne) & 2010 (Bangkok). Anex Conference 2005 (Melbourne) Stigma-Pleasure-Practice conference 2006 (Sydney).

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Masters of Psychology (Clinical). And a multitude of training courses including advanced first aid, pre & post test counselling accreditation for HIV, significant amount of training on hepatitis C, etc.

Awards and Honors
Have presented at international conferences including the International Harm Reduction Conferences in Chiang Mai Thailand; Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand. Also national conferences in Sydney and Melbourne Australia.

Past/Present Clients
I maintain confidentiality about my clients.

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