Evaluation- Ethical Implications- Agonist And Antagonist Substitution

Question 1

Ethical concerns about using methadone (weakness)

Answer 1

P- ethical concerns about using methadone to treat opioid addiction due to potential risks.
E-methadone can cause serious breathing problems if mixed with substances like alcohol and antidepressants
Also in the UK in 2013 there was a risk of overdose if an addict uses other drugs alongside methadone and there was 429 deaths according to the office of national statistics
Additionally, critics argue methadone replaces one addiction with another as some people stay on it for long period time and therefore quit to struggle entirely
E-issues raised concerns about the safety of methadone and whether it’s ethical to use treatment that could cause further addiction or serious health risks

Question 2

Side effects with naltrexone (weakness)

Answer 2

P-naltrexone has a risk of overdose and withdrawal symptoms
E- if someone using naltrexone relapses they might take more of the drug to feel the effects which increases the risk of dangerous overdose
Also has side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and insomnia, which could cause withdrawal of symptoms by pushing avoids out of the system
E- these risks mean tone needs to be used carefully as it can lead to serious health problems if not clearly monitored which raises ethical concerns about his safety as a treatment