BBC channel 4 Addiction week 20-24th feb

[judith yates]

I was alerted to this by a posting on SMMGP, and thought you might be interested, if like me you usually only hear about these things after you've missed them. . 
http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/A/addiction/index.html

[judith yates]

Can i suggest that you have a look at the posting by malcolm, of Detox 5, on our smmgp site, under this same heading! i hope this link works.. it looks rather long. If not, just go to the SMMGP forum.
http://smmgp.groupee.net/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/9954030241/m/7001010551/r/7201080551#7201080551

[bp]

Hi Judith

Great to meet you here again In case anyone missed this morning's programme it's repeated tonight at 11:05pm and there's also some interesting comments on www.channel4.com/addiction.

Are you attending the NDTC in Glasgow, if so, I'll see you there.

Best Wishes

Beryl

[dave penn]

Hi folks,  after watching this mornings episode of channel 4s latest offering of voyeristic 'Reality TV'  my only comment can be that it is actually damaging to the beneficial effects that de-tox can have for people. Also why the surprise at the withdrawals for the methadone patient hav'nt kicked in fully after 45hrs? By Weds or Thurs, after the naltrexone, I'm sure we will all be able to watch the young woman suffer along with the others!!

Anyway thats the rant over with,  I really hope that the 3 people concerned do achieve the goals that they all expressed in the first episode but as we all know de-tox is just one step on a journey that is a very difficult one to travel.   Good luck to them all!
   
Bye for now Dave Penn

[Alan J]

Dear David and other's who may be following the C4 "Big Brother for Junkies".
I apologise if that sounds cynical but I do have some concerns at the way the programme appears to be unfolding.

One, it is based on a private treatment provider. Many NHS treatment providers and commisioners appear to remain to be convinced of the cost-effectiveness ratio of this mode of managed withdrawal and as we are familar with, the relapse rate following post managed withdrawal (detox) and follow up support remains high as is the associated risk of adverse consequences should relapse ocur.

A concern I have is that the treatment on view gives a somewhat 'comfortable' representation of withdrawal, but this is enabled by the use of heavy , yes well monitored, sedation as well as heavy use of not sedatives so much as 'editives'. Having been through withdrawal more times than I care to remember one phenomenon I share with many peers is the 'time warp' that comes with withdrawal. Every second feels like an hour, every hour a week, ad finitum, until one finds relief in G.O.M.

Further I am worried about possible confusion between the process shown and UROD which is associated with different risk profile. It is important not to confuse the two.

In addition the post withdrawal support is telephone only and in reality relies upon NHS services picking up the patient and running with him/her from there. I acknowlege that 12 weeks tp support may more than some users recieve but I remain of the view that far more extensive support (housing, training, education, employement, therapy, medical), is required if a desired goal of non use is to be continued past one week, six, 12, or for that matter a year, two years or more.

Factor's such as duration of dependance, nuero adaption, set, setting, familal relationships, income, anxiety, stress, etc, impact on the possible outcomes of the managed withdrawl process and the responce to post withdrawal support offered let alone that shown on the C4 programe.

This is in no way a criticism of the process involved nor would I wish to deter well informed and empowered users from considering this possible option. That said,
it must be balanced by the poor outcomes a number of users experience. Nor to minimise possible risk. Although, the standard of monitoring seen is positive the levels of sedation and other medical interactions/problems  can increase or decrease any risk involved to the patient.

That said, I wish all who have had the courage to take this step for themselves well
and hope they have success in achieving the outcome they desire.

No one size suit's all, but good luck to our peers. But please do not believe this offers a miracle or easy way 'out' of dependence. When we call the piper he/she will always extract a the price.

Best , Alan J.

Personal comment only and this in no way reflects the Alliance position or support we give.

[Rokki]

Hi All,

   Having read the posts and not able to watch this event leads me to believe we are talking about UROD? Am I correct? Why do users/patients put themselves in this position? I know that we always look for the quick fix,but at the ris of dying I don't believe I would EVER opted for treatment. Once I was established on a dose of methadone that worked for me and not someone elses body I was fine. Just as I have had to live with a thyroid that doesn't work and take meds for it and shall ther eszt of my life so shall methadone be a medication that sits on my shelf next to my Levoxyl! I refuse to buy into the shame that propagana and 12 step cults will present as "Gospel" . I am proud of who I am and what I have accomplished since being on methadone. Why would I want to stop taking something that is saving my life? Makes No sense to me. I and NAMA do not endorse UROD in any form as it is hazardous and we all know there is no instant fix. As you said,Alan,Nothing is One Size Fits All and what works for me may kill someone else. However I am smart enough to know that naltrexone will not help me if I was to get into a wreck or become seriously hurt. Of course neither will bup at that point. What will cross the receptors if someone got into a wreck while taking naltrexone? Simple answer..NOTHING!!!! I hear that Fentinol<sp> will help some bup patients in these types of circumstances,but I for one would not like to have to depend on that and that alone.
   This is so scary. More of the media play on Target the Shame...Or Feeding The Stigma....If folks became educated about the options out there and then followed thru with Harm Reduction methods,they would be ok. imho
    Please note that I do know that methadone is not for everyone,but one thing folks do forget as they continue to feed it's stigma. It's not the medication,when given in the right dose for the patient,that leaves the bad taste in patients mouths as it is the system in which we are treated like children which is really the culprit.

Take Care All

Rokki
www.methadone.org
METHADONE IS MEDICINE
bluelady16.1@netzero.net

[Alan J]

Dear Rokki ,

The DT% programme is not UROD as we understand it, it is a heavily sedated managed withdrawl procedure based upon Naltrexone support with all the complications we may anticipate but over a more extended and controled period, we must celebrate the fact that it works for a minority (?) of our peers. That said we are duty beholden to give accurate information relating to it's outcome's,etc, for those whom it works for, for those whom it proves unhelpful and those of us who know this will be of no use in meeting our personal and collective needs.

Different strokes for different folks.

More to add, but need to break.

Best, Alan J.

[simon]

I think it's what works for the individual and I guess this will be only suitable for a minority of people. One of my patients was going to be sent for a detox there and I advised against it because she was no way ready to stop. She is doing well on Subutex now and it was her mothers wishes that she be detoxed.