Methadone is a regulated drug which like heroin is a full opioid agonist, meaning the same neural receptors in the brain are triggered when a person takes methadone. But unlike heroin, methadone is regulated and used in programs to help opiate addicted individuals so that they don't feel they have to get involved in drug seeking behavior, won't experience intense cravings, and won't undergo the effects of withdrawal. So instead of quitting cold turkey, facilities which treat methadone clients only are licensed to prescribe methadone to these individuals daily. This method of treatment is called methadone maintenance.
Clinics which treat methadone clients only are not commonly designed to provide a broad array of comprehensive recovery services beyond daily dosing, although some may offer group and individual counseling. Methadone use does have side effects, potentials for overdose and serious drug interactions because it is a full opioid agonist. For this reason, it is also a drug that is abused and misused by opiate addicts. Seeking further rehabilitation services in Gap is suggested, such as counseling, therapy and cognitive behavioral therapies which are successful at long term recovery and preventing relapses.