I started thinking about this cause I’m currently going through kratom withdrawal myself, which is an opioid receptor agonist. I’m basically going through a very mild version of opioid withdrawal, which is certainly manageable, but not pleasant, with its flu-like symptoms.
So, opioid use disorder used to be (and still is) a huge problem in some countries. The stronger and commonly abused opioids, like heroin, morphine and fentanyl, as I understand it, are extremely addicting, but I’m no expert on this subject.
What I don’t get tho…is for opioid use disorder, doctors prescribe methadone? Another synthetic opioid? Why? I’m genuinely curious.
From a quick Wikipedia read, it seems that methadone does cause addiction itself and withdrawal is actually longer than other opioids, that are used recreationally. Are the withdrawal symptoms less severe? Is it an effective form of treatment? I really do not know and I’m quite curious.
If someone had personal experience to share, that would probably be best.
But my question is basically: Methadone? Why the fuck do they prescribe that for opioid use disorder?
Sorry for the stupid question, I’m not very well educated on this subject and also really curious.
Because with methadone, long-term success rates are significantly higher (60-90% vs 5-10%), relapse rates are far lower, withdrawal symptoms are massively reduced or eliminated, and methadone doesn’t come with the euphoric high that most other opioids confer, which can have a major impact on the ability of a user to function normally.
Because with methadone, long-term success rates are significantly higher (60-90% vs 5-10%), relapse rates are far lower
Wow…just wow. That’s actually insane. I didn’t know that! And I also didn’t know it doesn’t come with the euphoria.
Huh…thank you for that!
From the exact same Wikipedia article:
"The principal goals of methadone maintenance are to relieve opioid cravings, suppress the abstinence syndrome, and block the euphoric effects associated with opioids.
When used correctly in treatment, maintenance therapy is medically safe, non-sedating, and can provide a slow recovery from opioid addiction."
It’s literally just an effective and proven treatment for withdrawal.
So it’s the opioid version of a nicotine patch?
Exactly!
Aha. I guess I should have been less lazy and read the whole article…welp. Sorry…
Still, thanks. As the other comments have mentioned, there are aspects that I had absolutely no idea about. And frankly, I’m glad it’s so effective. That’s actually really cool.
Thank you
from what i understand, part of it is because methadone has a very long half life, which means that patients don’t bounce from rush to crash every day but instead taper down slowly. also because it touches other receptors than opioid receptors in a way that helps in this case
Doctors use what works! If the research says that methadone plus rehab is a more effective treatment for opioid addiction than just rehab, they’ll use methadone plus rehab.
It’s basically the same reason people use nicotine gum to help quit smoking. The cravings can be really tough to manage, so having something that allows you to reduce those gives you a much better chance to successfully quit.
Interesting note, you know what the treatment for severe alcoholism is? More alcohol! Alcohol addiction can get to the point where patients will literally die if they go cold turkey. Doctors can and do prescribe alcohol in those cases.
