1. Methadone and Suboxone
Jackee Evans
ADGS

2. Some of the opioids being used in Hamilton:
OxyContin: OxyContin is a time-released pain medication developed in 1995 for people who need around-the-clock pain relief.
OxyNeo: OxyNeo is the new form of OxyContin that was brought in to try to limit abuse of the original drug. Purdue, the company that makes OxyNeo, maintains the product is harder to abuse, although it can be broken down and used to get high.
Segue Clinic. The Opioid Epidemic. (2017).

3. Morphine: Morphine is a common medium to strong painkiller.
Percocet: Contains Oxycodone and acetaminophen (the drug in Tylenol), acetaminophen can make people sick if they take a lot of it.
Morphine: Morphine is a common medium to strong painkiller.
Hydromorphone: Hydromorphone or Hydropmorphs are often used in Hamilton, because oxycodone is harder to obtain.
Methadone: Methadone is usually used to wean people off other drugs, however it can still be abused for a kind of euphoria.
Segue Clinic. The Opioid Epidemic. (2017).

4. Halton Regional Police Twitter photo
Fentanyl: Fentanyl is most commonly available as a skin patch, but can also be a lozenge, pills, shots and a film that dissolves in your mouth. Generally used for extreme pain situations, and cancer.
Fentanyl is a type of opioid that is far stronger than most other opioids: around 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. This makes the risk of accidental overdose from fentanyl much higher.
Other forms of illicit fentanyl are being seen on the streets such as powdered forms or popcorn. "It’s a combination of Fentanyl powder and heroin, mixed together and people are either injecting it, smoking it or snorting it.” Fallis, (2017) New opioid recommendations.
Public Health. Opioids. (2017).
Segue Clinic. The Opioid Epidemic. (2017).
Halton Regional Police Twitter photo

5. Opioid drugs
Miller, L (2011). Prescription Drug Misuse- Medical Aspects, Stats, & Implications.

6. How opioid drugs work
Grens, K. (2014). Pain and Progress.

7. How does Methadone and Suboxone Treatment work?
Methadone and Suboxone are long acting opioid drugs. They fill the same receptors in the brain as other opioid drugs and your own endorphins.
Methadone and Suboxone can also be used to provide pain relief for people who do not have a dependence on opioids.

8. Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid drug. It fills up the same receptors in the brain as other opioid drugs and our own endorphins. While methadone can be used to relieve pain, it is most noted for its role in stabilizing the lives of people who use opioid drugs.
When methadone is taken how it is intended, it should not produce a high, it aids in controlling cravings for opioid drugs, and it can prevent the onset of withdrawal for 24 to 36 hours. Once on a stable dose of methadone is obtained, people should feel “normal”.
CAMH, Learning about methadone. n.d. handbook/chapter-2-learning-about-methadone

9. Suboxone
Suboxone combines the partial agonist buprenorphine, which is a proven therapy for opioid dependence, and the opiate antagonist naloxone, which limits the potential for diversion, such as intravenous use.
Suboxone is taken orally, dissolving under the tongue. Doses of Suboxone vary according to the individual’s substance use.
The risk of a fatal overdose on the
partial agonist Suboxone is much
less than with methadone.

10. Suboxone vs. Methadone
Suboxone is a partial opiate agonist while methadone is a full opiate agonist. A partial opiate agonist has a ceiling of effect, meaning that even when taken in large doses, its effects are limited. A full opiate agonist does not have a ceiling effect.
The risk of a fatal overdose on the partial agonist Suboxone is much less than with methadone.
Methadone works very well for people who are taking larger amounts of opiates.
Partial agonist Suboxone cannot provide effective relief from withdrawal symptoms to people with serious physical addictions.
Methadone costs less than Suboxone.

11. Treatment Trends Chronic pain.
Being offered the drug re: headache, back ache.
Trauma.

12. Methadone Clinics in Hamilton
ACT-664/666 Barton Street East Hamilton,
ACT-928 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON (905)
Towards Recovery-14 John St N
Ontario Addiction Treatment Centre (OATC)-397 Main St E. (Tisdale and Main St E)
Addiction Treatment Clinic-554 Main St E
Segue Clinic-840 Queenston Rd
Segue Clinic-2nd location-554 Main St E
The Hamilton Clinic-200 Main St E, lower level
Individuals can call to set up an appointment. A valid health card is needed to start methadone or suboxone.

13. Treatment options in Hamilton
WOMEN ONLY
Womankind
New Choices
Women's A.A. Meetings
Women for Sobriety
MEN ONLY
Men's Withdrawal Management Centre
Wayside House
Suntrac Recovery
Men for Sobriety

14. YOUTH ONLY
Alternatives for Youth (AY) under 23 years
Youth Recovery Awareness Program (YRAP)
ALL
Alcohol, Drug & Gambling Services (ADGS)
Over 23 years
GRI P
(Growth Through Responsible Individual Participation)
SELF-HELP GROUPS
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alanon & Alateen
Gamblers Anonymous & Gamanon
Cocaine Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous & NarAnon
SMART Recovery