Methadone is a drug used in the reduction of harm associated with opiate addiction. An Individual who wants to stop using prescription pain killers or heroin can get started on a methadone clinic in or near Mona where they ingest it on a daily basis to stop withdrawal symptoms, stave off cravings and in essence replace their addiction with a legal medication. Many people who begin methadone maintenance stay on it for decades, due to the fact that 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 painful and last so long. Additionally, considering methadone can remain in the body for such a long time, users may not even begin experiencing withdrawal for a day or two when they quit taking it. Methadone withdrawal resembles that of other opiates, and feels similar to a severe flu which may include chills, fever, profuse sweating, nausea and vomiting, muscle and bone aches and pain, stomach cramping, acute insomnia, etc.
Methadone withdrawal can be made much more comfortable in a detox facility which accepts patients withdrawing from the drug. Some programs provide a medication assisted detoxification while others help the individual get off the drug cold turkey without any medications.