Methadone is a synthetic opioid that has been used for the treatment of opiate/opioid dependence for decades. It was developed in Germany in 1937, and is a much cheaper alternative for both pain management and as an anti-addictive drug than most of it’s counterparts (i.e. vicodin, morphine and oxycodone).

Whether it’s a junkie who’s been shooting up heroin, or a pill-popping soccer mom, methadone has offered addicts a way to get out of their drug-seeking environment by replacing their illicit habit with a governmentally controlled substance that can be distributed at local clinics.

Because Methadone (brand names: Symoron, Dolophine, Amidone, Methadose, Physeptone, Heptadon and many others) has a longer duration of effect, patients can take the pill once a day, relieving them of their withdrawal symptoms, until the following day where they can get their next dose.

Methadone’s ability to remove the addict from the dangers of copping, shooting or popping opiates, is its main benefit, in my opinion.

However, methadone’s other benefit, the long duration of action, can be, in and of itself, an extremely difficult drug to kick. Thus, former heroin addicts become current methadone addicts, and the cycle of addiction continues.

In my next post, I’ll weight the pro’s and con’s of using methadone as both a maintenance drug and a way to detox from other opiates/opioids.

If you’ve ever been through opiate withdrawal, you understand how grueling the process can be. I’ve personally been through it more than a dozen times, and each time has been worse than the last.

Methadone detox and methadone maintenance programs can be helpful in getting you off of the hard stuff, but it’s wise to do some of your own research before you consider that route.

I hope that with www.methadonedetox.org, I can help you along with your research so you can make an informed decision based on the facts.

There are both pros and cons to this method of treatment, and I think that both sides of the story should be given a fair chance.

I wish you all the best.