Methadone
Definition
Methadone is classified as an opioid (an analgesic that is used for severe pain). In the United States, methadone is also known as dolophine, methenex and methadose.
Purpose
Methadone is used in the long-term maintenance treatment of narcotic addiction. Both heroin and methadone are opioids; as such, methadone and heroin bind to the same places in the brain. Methadone, however, is the opioid of choice for the treatment of narcotic addiction since it is longer lasting and patients don't experience the "high" associated with the drug of abuse. In opioid maintenance therapy, a person addicted to heroin receives methadone instead of heroin. Essentially, the person is switched from an opioid that...
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