Methadone is a prescription medication which like morphine or heroin is a full opioid agonist, meaning the same neurotransmitter receptors in the brain are triggered when someone takes methadone. But unlike heroin, methadone is regulated and used in programs to treat opiate addicted clients so that they don't feel they need to become involved in drug seeking behavior, won't experience intense cravings, and won't feel the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. So rather than quitting cold turkey, clinics that treat methadone clients only are authorized to administer methadone to these individuals daily. This method of treatment is called methadone maintenance therapy.
Programs which treat methadone clients only are not usually set up to offer a broad array of comprehensive treatment services other than daily dosing, although some might deliver group and individual counseling. Methadone use is associated with side effects, potentials for overdose and drug interactions because it is a full opioid agonist. Consequently, it is also a drug that is abused and misused by opioid dependent individuals. Seeking further rehabilitation services in Ely is suggested, including counseling, therapy and cognitive behavioral therapies which are effective in long term recovery and relapse prevention.