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Methadone is a rigorously well-tested medication that is safe and efficacious for the treatment of
narcotic withdrawal and dependence. For more than 30 years this synthetic narcotic has been used to
treat opioid addiction. Prescription drugs and heroin release an excess of dopamine in the body and
causes users to need an opiate continuously occupying the opioid receptor in the brain. Methadone
occupies this receptor and is the stabilizing factor that permits addicts on methadone to change their
behavior and to discontinue heroin use.
Taken orally once a day, methadone suppresses narcotic withdrawal for between 24 and 36 hours.
Because methadone is effective in eliminating withdrawal symptoms, it is used in detoxifying opiate
addicts. It is, however, only effective in cases of addiction to heroin, morphine, and other opioid
drugs such as many prescription drugs. However it is not an effective treatment for other drugs of
abuse. Withdrawal from methadone is much slower than that from heroin. As a result, it is possible to
maintain an addict on methadone without harsh side effects. Many methadone maintenance treatment
patients require continuous treatment, sometimes over a period of years.
Methadone maintenance treatment provides the heroin addict with individualized health care and
medically prescribed methadone to relieve withdrawal symptoms, reduces the opiate craving, and brings
about a biochemical balance in the body. Important elements in heroin treatment include comprehensive
social and rehabilitation services.
Several years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the use of methadone. For the first time in more than 30 years, it was
proposed that this medication take its rightful place as a clinical tool in the treatment of the
heroin addict. Instead of its use being mandated by regulations, programs will establish quality
assurance guidelines and have to be accredited. The proposed new system will allow greater flexibility
by the treating physician and ensure appropriate clinical management of the patient's needs. This
proposed change in policy would eliminate most of the current regulations and allow greater clinical
discretion for treatment by the physician.
However there are still many misperceptions when it comes to methadone. This page provides links
to sources of information that might help you decide whether treatment at a methadone clinic might be
right for you.
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