Is heroin the only drug for which methadone maintenance is a treatment?
Methadone, given on a daily basis as part of a comprehensive recovery program, may be useful for treating addiction to any opioid drug. This class of drugs includes those made from the opium poppy, like heroin, morphine, or opium itself – these are often called “opiates.” Other opioids are made synthetically, like oxycodone (Percocet ®), hydromorphone (Dilaudid ®), hydrocodone (Vicodin ®), codeine, and others. All of the opioids work on similar areas in the brain, called mu-opioid receptors. Methadone, which is a synthetic and very long-lasting opioid, works in those same brain areas, occupying the receptors so completely that it blocks the effects of other opioids. In this way, methadone prevents opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug craving. To do this, methadone only has to be taken once a day, every day – called methadone maintenance treatment or MMT – and, at the proper dose, it does not make the person feel “high” or drugged. So, the person can lead a more normal and health
