Methadone has been around for decades and has been used for Heroin addiction since the 1960’s. Yet so many people still are unaware of Methadone and its effects.
Some people hear Methadone and think it’s made from Meth. Others believe it’s a legal way to get high, it rots your bones and is addictive. The amount of misconceptions and negative stigmas that follow Methadone are endless.
Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication used to treat addiction to heroin and certain prescription pills. Methadone helps to normalize the body’s neurological system which has been impaired by the use of heroin or the misuse of other opioids. Methadone reduces or eliminates cravings for opioid drugs and blocks the effects of other opioids. Methadone is no means a cure for opioid/heroin addiction. It’s an opportunity for someone struggling with addiction/dependence to regain their life and receive treatment.
If someone has high blood pressure they see a doctor and in most cases are prescribed a medication in which they take daily. That medication helps eliminate symptoms and helps the patient to get on with a “normal” and healthy life. This is similar to a patient struggling with heroin addiction. They see a doctor and are prescribed a medication, Methadone. They take their medication daily and it helps eliminate symptoms of withdrawals and cravings. It allows the patient to get past their addiction/dependence and move on with a healthier lifestyle.
The sooner we make an effort as a society to understand and accept Methadone as an effective treatment, the sooner heroin/opiate addicts can stop stigma about their choice of treatment and focus on the treatment and recovery process.