U.N. Owen Disclaimer:What my title refers to is, I was in one of the 3 documentaries - all filmed roughly the same time, here in NYC - about junkies. I was in one (UNION SQUARE THE MOVIE), My best friend is in one ('Sebastian', in Dope, Sick, Love), and someone I know well - Michael, is in this documentary.While I'd never had the chance to see this documentary before, I'm just watching it now, and, right off the bat, I want to say: NOT ALL 'METHADONIANS' are as the people in this film appear.It IS true, that there are people in methadone programs (MMTP for short) who DO take benzo's (benzodiazapenes) in order to get a heroin-like high from the methadone.But, I NEVER did, and a lot of people I see at my program, and know, don't.I also want to say that as this film (as well as mine; UNION SQUARE THE MOVIE (and Sebastian's film, Dope, Sick, Love) were all filmed over 6 years ago, all three of us have progressed quite a lot form these times.In this film, Michael (who was shown with his dark glasses on, and nodding out at group) looks MUCH better. He's put on weight, he's got a home, and, he's cleaned up his act.I was happy to see that several other people who are on Methadone weren't 'ashamed' to hide it, and LOUDLY say not all methadonians are like these.That's what really annoyed me, as well.In ANY situation, there'll always be 'bad apples,' and as this film-maker thought - he could focus on these people (at that time) and make what seems to be a 'blanket-statement' about ALL methadonians, and Mr. Negroonte's belief that the Methadone makers sole purpose is to keep us hooked.I can tell you that is WRONG.ANother point, is that, a lot of people just starting on an MMTP are 'on-the-fence' - they've foot dangling in the 'junkie life,' and another dangling in the 'real' worldThat period can last a person months, or years.It all depends on when the person gets tired of the old ways, and WANTS a LIFE.So, as far as Michael goes - he was in that stage when this was made.But, he's not anymore, and, I'd bet that of the people in this film - or at methadone programs in general, a good percentage has passed onto living a higher quality of life.Trying to get off methadone IS more difficult (the reason being that, unlike heroin, methadone acts MUCH longer. Therefore, it's harder to get it out of the body.It's NOT part of a 'nefarious' plot to make people addicted. WE did that to OURSELVES).But, kicking methadone ISN'T the ONLY option.Someone once told me - and I agree - that, as a diabetic needs dialysis lifelong, so, does a methadone client. IF (that's 'I-F') they choose.As of now, that's what I choose.Because, for me - it makes me feel secure - from myself.I don't know yet (almost a decade on it) if I wouldn't run out and cop some dope.But, I also know that on methadone, I've my family back, I've a terrific home, and life.Same goes for Sebastian - and Steve in this film.I wish that Mr. Negroponte would have taken this film, and 'sat' on it for several years.Then, he could pick up the stories 5-or-so years later, and see what impact methadone had on these people's lives.I don't know the other people in this film, but, if Mr. Negropnte had done that, he'd see a 180 degree difference in Michael.Showing the POSITIVE would be great.

oiwiein This documentary follows some methadone patients around town. The majority are taking xanax along with their methadone which in most clinics will get you kicked off unless you have a prescription for yourself. But these fools make all methadone patients look like a bunch of junkies. I've been on methadone for the last 3.5 years and am almost tapered off completely due to all the stigma, dependency, observed ua's, money and plain hassle it's been. If someone wants to make a negative documentary about methadone than talk to people like me that followed the rules and have an issue not a bunch of whack jobs that are just there to get high.

clayrogers Keep in mind that this video is filmed in the Lower East side of NYC. I am a methadone patient also, living in Madison, WI. The people that attend my clinic are normal everyday people, they don't talk and look like the crazies in this film. While some of us might be abusing other drugs while maintaining ourselves on methadone, most of us are genuinely trying to change and start a new life. Opiate addiction is something that spans across many ages and lifestyles nowadays with the rising popularity of OxyContin as well as Heroin in the cities and suburbs of America. It is possible to be on methadone and live a completely normal life, I think methadone is the cure, not simply a stepping stone on the way to some ultimate "recovery" that is never going to happen for most of us unfortunately. I enjoyed this film however, even though i think it makes methadone patients look like complete losers and junkies. Just remember this only shows a very small portion of the methadone community and doesn't speak for all of us!

Spuzzlightyear Methadonia is a (excuse the pun) dip into the lives of several people trying to get over Methadone, which can be as addicting, sometimes even more so, then Heroin. They all go to a drop in for Meth addicts to get help trying to overcome Methadone. Apparently, it's damn hard to get off the stuff, and what's more shocking, the 'Methadone industry' will try damn hard to make sure you're addicted.I liked this film, all the characters in this were highly interesting, some were slightly crazy (like the gal who was having her 3rd kid, her first kids taken away from her). I mean, all in all I was rooting for some of these people, and some I was saying "Oh Dear".