Opiates: Methadone Detox Facts

Question: Why do some people become addicted to methadone if is used to help quit a addiction to opiates?

(Posted by: uabillmeier on 2010-07-22 12:00:24)

I have read that many addicts are prescribed Methadone to stop a addiction to opiates such as Oxycontin or Hydrocodone. In turn I have read that Methadone is highly addictive. From my understanding Methadone blocks any euphoric feelings that the opiates can create. So what is a addict feeling from Methadone that gets them addicted to the drug? Could someone try to explain this to me in lay mans terms?

Posted by: hipstertravels2 on 2010-07-25, 16:04:12

People use methadone because it blocks the opioid receptacles in the brain, so people won't feel the euphoric effects of heroin or pain killers. It also has a half life of 24 hours (it lasts a longer amount of time, before you go into withdrawals) It keeps the withdrawals away, unlike a pain killer that only lasts a couple of hours. Also, people on methadone aren't addicted to it, they are dependent on it to have a healthy, drug-free and crime-free life.

Posted by: abs Oreks on 2010-07-22, 12:09:08

Methadone is a drug that has an equal amount of potency to a drug like morphine. this means a small amount is needed to get a strong effect like morphine. it produces physical dependence like morphine which is a very strong opioid. but the reason it is used to weak addicts of drugs is because it has a milder withdrawal symptom that is spread over a few days to weeks, as opposed to the withdrawal of the drugs you have mentioned where the withdrawal symptoms are really intense.