Methadone is a prescription medication used in the treatment of opiate addiction and dependency. A person who wants to stop abusing heroin or prescription pain killers can get enrolled into a methadone program in or near Washington where they take it on a daily basis to avoid withdrawal symptoms, avoid cravings and essentially substitute their addiction with a legal medication. Many individuals who start methadone maintenance treatment stay on the drug for decades, because coming off it causes withdrawal symptoms much greater than even heroin withdrawal. Methadone is a full opioid agonist, similar to heroin and morphine. However, it remains in the body longer which is why detoxing from it can be so harsh and last so long. Additionally, because methadone can remain in the body for such a long time, users may not even start feeling the effects of withdrawal for a day or two if they stop taking it. Methadone withdrawal is like that of other opiates, and feels similar to a severe flu and can include chills, fever, profuse sweating, nausea and vomiting, muscle and bone aches and pain, stomach cramping, acute insomnia, etc.
Methadone detoxification can be made more comfortable and manageable in a detox facility which accepts methadone clients. Some facilities offer a medication assisted detox while others help the person get off the drug cold turkey without any medications.
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