Methadone is a medication used in the reduction of harm associated with opiate addiction. A person who wants to quit using heroin or prescription pain killers can get enrolled into a methadone program in or near Roe where they ingest it daily to avoid withdrawal symptoms, stave off cravings and basically replace their addiction with a legal medication. Many people who begin methadone treatment remain on the drug for decades, because withdrawing off it can bring about withdrawal symptoms far worse 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 the withdrawal from it can be so painful and last for weeks. And considering methadone can remain in the body for so long, users usually will not even begin experiencing withdrawal for a day or two when they quit taking it. Methadone withdrawal is like that of other opiates, and feels similar to a severe flu which can include chills, fever, profuse sweating, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramping, muscle and bone aches and pain, acute insomnia, etc.
Methadone detoxification can be made more comfortable and manageable in a detox facility that allow patients withdrawing from the drug. Some centers provide a medication assisted detoxification while others help the client get off the drug without the use of controlled medications.