What is Methadone?
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.
4 comments
Thanks for putting this together. I’m looking forward to reading the next posts about using methadone to detox from other drugs vs. other methods.
hi my boyfriend was on meth and he came off it and he is doing really well but lately he has been having cronic headaches and he has been off his meth for 3 weeks and yeah its hard and addictive but he done it
I’m into my ninth day of being methadone free. I feel as though I’m gonna die. My emotions r out of control. I’ve been to the hospital 3x in a month ie. blood pressure 282/158. I’ve gained 50 lbs in the 3yrs I was on the shit. I have a benzo habit. Detox was a joke cause no one wants a dually addicted person with this combination.
I’m down to .5 xanax 3xd daily but of course the first couple of days I did 4mg. I’m taking clonodine 4 my blood pressure, and maylox for my stomach. I feel like shit on a stick. I walked on 40 mg. I’ve seen my primary care doc, psyche, and heart. I’m not self medicating. 4 once. I’m 47 and have been using since 9. Need encouragement…….Also heed this warning!!!
I am going in for duel detox of meths 50 ml I have been on 9 years AND alcohol 5 years 3-5 litres strong cider a day also benzos 2 , 5mg a day. I am staying on my valium 4 and after detox …….. help…. has anyone done this ????
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