I refer to the letter Methadone therapy not without problems .

To state that methadone does not help addicts make their lives more manageable just shows one's ignorance of the science that backs up methadone as the 'gold standard' of treating opiate addiction.

Methadone does not lead to addiction. An addict who goes into methadone treatment will remain dependent on opiates, but this is a far cry from being addicted to methadone. If the writer took the time to read the ICD-9 or DSM, the definition of addiction does not fit the person in treatment on methadone.

Deaths from methadone in the US have almost always been linked to patients receiving the drug for pain management rather than from an addiction treatment provider. My patients feel shame about their addiction and now because of people like the writer of the letter above, they also feel shame about their recovery.

Exactly where in your world do my patient get to feel good about themselves. Or don't you feel that they are deserving of this?

The writer is senior counselor at the Centre for Addictive Problems, Chicago, US.