Methadone is a prescription drug which like morphine or heroin is a full opioid agonist, meaning the same neurotransmitter receptors are activated when a person ingests methadone. But unlike heroin, methadone is used in programs to help opiate addicted clients so that they don't feel the need to become involved in drug seeking behavior, won't crave illicit opiates, and won't undergo the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. So instead of quitting cold turkey, programs which treat methadone clients only are authorized to administer methadone to these clients daily. This method of treatment is known as methadone maintenance.
Facilities which treat methadone clients only are not usually designed to provide a wide range of extensive treatment services beyond daily dosing, although some might provide individual and group therapy and counseling. Methadone use does have side effects, potentials for overdose and serious drug interactions due to the fact that it is a full opioid agonist similar to heroin. Consequently, it is also a drug which is abused and misused by opiate addicts. Seeking additional rehabilitation services in Chatham is suggested, including therapy, counseling and cognitive behavioral therapies which are effective in long term recovery and relapse prevention.
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