Methadone
What Kind of Drug Is It?
Methadone is a synthetic drug, meaning that it is made in a laboratory from chemicals. It behaves like an opiate drug in the brain. Opiates are drugs, derived from the opium poppy plant, that tend to decrease restlessness, bring on sleep, and relieve pain. The natural opiates—such as codeine, heroin, morphine, and opium—are known for their painkilling properties, but also for their addictive nature. Such substances encourage abuse because they induce euphoria, or feelings of extreme happiness or enhanced well-being.
Methadone works differently. Its slow onset and long-lasting impact lessen the chances that the user will get high from taking it. At the same time, it blocks the receptors in the brain that are stimulated by opiates, so those using methadone do not get high even if they take heroin or morphine too. (Entries on codeine, heroin, morphine, and opium are also available in this encyclopedia.) Methadone is best known as the medication prescribed to help opiate addicts end the destructive behavior associated with drug addiction.
People with opiate addictions often use drugs such as heroin and morphine more to avoid withdrawal symptoms than to achieve a high. Withdrawal is the process of gradually cutting back on the amount of a substance being taken until use can be discontinued entirely.
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