Methadone is a medication utilized for the treatment of opiate addiction. A person who wants to quit using prescription pain killers or heroin can get enrolled into a methadone program in or near Ucon where they take it on a daily basis to avoid withdrawal symptoms, stave off cravings and essentially substitute their addiction with a legal medication. Many people who begin methadone maintenance stay on the drug for decades, because coming off it causes withdrawal symptoms far greater than even heroin withdrawal. Methadone is a full opioid agonist, just like heroin. However, it remains in the body longer which is why detoxing from it can be so harsh and last so long. Additionally, since methadone can stay in the body for so long, users may not even begin experiencing withdrawal for a day or two if they quit taking it. Methadone withdrawal is similar to that of other opiates, and feels similar to a really bad flu which can include chills, fever, profuse sweating, nausea and vomiting, muscle and bone aches and pain, stomach cramping, acute insomnia, etc.
Methadone withdrawal can be made more comfortable and manageable in a detox facility which allow methadone clients. Some facilities offer a medically managed detoxification while others help the client get off the drug cold turkey without any medications.