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Was On Heroine, Opiates. On Methadone And Dihydroceine. Herbal Medication?
hi my partner is on methadone but even though he is off heroin and has been for 5 years his drug worker and doctor keep puting him up his methadone is there anyway he can stop them from putting him on a higher dose he was on 40mg and then the doctor wanted to put on 90mg even though he isnt taking heroin his urine samples are still showing a trace of opiates, he had took 6 30mg dihydroceine over 3 days 2 weeks before he had done the urine sample is there anything else medical or herbal that could cause this
Sat, 29 Jun 2013
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
It is likely that the doctor is increasing your partner's dose of methadone on the strong suspicion that your husband is continuing to take opiates. You have mentioned that his urine samples are testing positive for opiates and he had also taken dihydrocodeine (which is an opiate) recently.
The urine tests for opiates are usually quite efficient and specific in detecting drug abuse, and it is rare to have false positives. It is also very unlikely that any herbal medication could be causing a false positive opiate test. The reason for the positive urine tests could be the dihyrocodeine or maybe, surreptitious use of other opiates. I would suggest that you discuss further management options with the team that is treating him.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
It is likely that the doctor is increasing your partner's dose of methadone on the strong suspicion that your husband is continuing to take opiates. You have mentioned that his urine samples are testing positive for opiates and he had also taken dihydrocodeine (which is an opiate) recently.
The urine tests for opiates are usually quite efficient and specific in detecting drug abuse, and it is rare to have false positives. It is also very unlikely that any herbal medication could be causing a false positive opiate test. The reason for the positive urine tests could be the dihyrocodeine or maybe, surreptitious use of other opiates. I would suggest that you discuss further management options with the team that is treating him.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
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