There are any number of myths knocking around and the introduction of evidence has failed to kill them off.They survive I expect because their retelling serve some purpose, either for the individual, organisations or both.
It was good to see the letter in this weeks Drink and Drug news robustly confronting the issue around confidentiality breaches by primary care staff as a reason for people from the Asian community not accessing treatment.
As is so often the case it is not the truth that matters but the perception and the letter was equally firm in advising how people could seek redress if this happens.
What myth would you like to see killed off?

'Methadone gets in your bones'

How about:
Methadone rots your teeth.
The war on drugs is being won.

Sugar free is weaker than sugared
Some brands are stronger than other even if 1mg/1ml

(cant you tell I am a Pharmacist!!)

The Pharmacist waters the Methadone down (Just for Claire B)

quote:

Originally posted by joe muller:
How about:
Methadone rots your teeth.

Guilty for perpetuating that one - I use it to when offering the clients a glass of water to wash down their methadone (or make sure that it is swallowed).
Isn't it true (as a result of the sugar content)?

Jeff

Yes, another myth,'its the sugar content'!

'Cannabis is not a problem'.

'Temazepam is an antidepressant'

Hi Jeff,
I usually inform the client not brushing your teeth and going to the dentist is what rots your teeth. The drinking water after meth is what i also do, but doesn't replace looking after them.

I think the dentists advice is that it is the neglect which rots the teeth, not the sugar, but also I think the acidity of the methadone mixture plays a part? (maybe someone can tell me if that is just another old wives tale)

They seem to say that sugar free or suger full is just the same, and both bad for your teeth. Both need washing away with water.

Its the fact that opiates cause a reduction in saliva which increases the risk of dental caries.
Chewing sugar free gum(even nicotine replacement gum!!) can help, and obviously good dental hygeine never goes amiss!

How about 'you can't be a good drug worker if you're not an ex-addict'?

Whenever I'm asked about my history I explain that
a) It's not relevant to the treatment journey of the person who asked the question, and

b) some people think it's better to have been a service user, some think it's better not to have been, so I can't please all the people all the time - better not to answer at all...

(also keeps 'em guessing, good to keep a bit of mystery)

Oh yes, and the old classic...

'the swab test must have returned positive because a mate/dealer mixed my cannabis with (that special new odourless) heroin'.

What about 'What do you know, you've only read it in a book'?

I must take issue with the 'myth':-
'the swab test must have returned positive...........'
It has been shown in some areas that substances are all being prepared for sale on the same premises, as a one stop shop ( something the NHS cannot seem to manage ). This surely will cause cross contamination problems.
I do also see the scenario of a client suddenly remembering 'a spliff a couple of days ago' post test.
Though i honestly feel that this being included in this thread of myths in the field is slightly offenive, though i am as sure it was not intended as such.
I appreciate this is a site for clinicians but not a place to surely to blanket malign the client group....... too much.
My Best
TonyB

As for the dental stuff.
A prestigious member of this forum has reminded me recently ( with a presentation ) that advice must be given in context and at the right time.
A local dentist told a client methadone was bad for his teeth and weeks later this chap was off his script, out of treatment and back on heroin. My goodness what a shocking true story.
Tony B

Presumably the same individual stopped smoking,reduced his alcohol intake to within the recommended daily limit(whatever they might be currently)takes 5 portions of fruit and veg and exercises for more than 30 minutes five times weekly.Flosses regularly.
I suspect they will also forgo a foreign holiday to reamain carbon neutral.

How about 'Subutex is a blocker'. Yes I know it may have some value as a story but at most of the doses used it is a complete fallacy (falsehood not willy before anyone looks in the dictionary, oops there it goes again)

How about convincing myself that I'm networking at a conference at 12.30 as I agree reluctantly to one for the road.

quote:

Originally posted by Perseverance:
How about convincing myself that I'm networking at a conference at 12.30 as I agree reluctantly to one for the road.

That is harder to believe at 0500hrs.