I am on methadone therapy.
me-ta-DO-ne — four syllables, stress on third. International medical term.
Inform any doctor or dentist treating you. Methadone has critical interactions and specific management requirements during hospitalisation.
'Terapia con il metadone' = methadone maintenance therapy (for opioid dependence). In Italy, distributed by 'SerD' (Servizio Dipendenze — Addiction Services) or authorised pharmacies. Must continue during hospitalisation. Interactions: QT-prolonging medications (can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmia), many antibiotics, antiretrovirals, azole antifungals. The treating team must know.
Seguo un programma di mantenimento con oppioidi.
I am on an opioid maintenance programme.
More formal/clinical description — used in medical settings
Devo avvisare il mio SerD del ricovero?
Do I need to notify my SerD of the hospitalisation?
Yes — SerD coordinates methadone supply during hospital stays
Ho bisogno di ricevere il metadone anche in ospedale.
I need to receive methadone even in hospital.
Hospitals must continue methadone — abrupt discontinuation is medically dangerous
Italy's addiction medicine ('medicina delle dipendenze') system is managed by SerD (Servizi Dipendenze) — specialised centres within the public health system. Italy has approximately 150,000 people on opioid maintenance therapy. Italian law recognises addiction as a health condition, not a moral failing. SerD services include methadone and buprenorphine maintenance, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation. Privacy of addiction treatment is strongly protected under Italian law.