What is Methadone?

Methadone is an opioid or narcotic commonly used as a replacement for heroin and a method of detox. Available in liquid and pill form, methadone is prescribed and taken daily under the supervision of a counselor or doctor. The pill form, however, is often available on the street and used illegally.

Methadone is as addictive as heroin but when used as a maintenance program, methadone can help keep a heroin addict from using needles or overdosing and can be a successful form of detox from opiates.

What are the Effects of Methadone?

Methadone offers an effect similar to heroin, in that it is a pain killer and provides a sense of euphoria, warmth, drowsiness and content. The pupils constrict and the pulse, blood pressure and body temperature drop. At certain doses, it is an opiate 'blocker' meaning that if other opiates like heroin are used simultaneously, the user won't feel the euphoric effects.

Is Methadone Addictive?

Yes. Many addicts trade an addiction to heroin for an addiction to methadone and choose to stay on a methadone maintenance program for years rather than detox completely. The detox from methadone is just as intense as heroine detox but it is easier to control as the substance is synthetic and the doses are medically monitored. Some addicts abuse the methadone maintenance or detox program by using heroin or other opiates in addition to their methadone dose or selling the dose prescribed by the doctor and purchasing other drugs instead.

What are the Symptoms of Methadone Detox?

To detox from methadone abuse is considered to be even worse than an abrupt detox from heroin, which is why methadone rehabilitation is controlled by a doctor in the form of tiered dosages that decrease over time. Symptoms of methadone detox include:

• Runny eyes and nose
• Uncontrollable sneezing and yawning
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating and chills
• Cramps and muscle aches
• Shaking
• Irritability