Methadone is a drug utilized for the reduction of harm associated with opiate addiction and dependency. A person who wants to stop using heroin or prescription pain killers can get started on a methadone program in or near Mena where they ingest it on a daily basis to avoid withdrawal symptoms, avoid cravings and in essence substitute their addiction with a legal medication. Many people who begin methadone treatment remain on it for decades, because coming off it can bring about withdrawal symptoms much worse than even heroin withdrawal. Methadone is a full opioid agonist, just like heroin and morphine. However, it remains in the body longer which is why the withdrawal from it can be so harsh and last so long. And since methadone can stay in the body for such a long time, users usually will not even begin experiencing withdrawal for a day or two when they quit taking it cold turkey. Methadone withdrawal is like that of other opiates, and are likened to a severe flu which can include fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, profuse sweating muscle and bone aches and pain, stomach cramping, extreme insomnia, etc.
Methadone detoxification can be made more comfortable and manageable in a detox facility which allow methadone clients. Some programs provide a medically managed detox while others help the person withdrawal off the drug cold turkey without any medications.