What is methadone? And what is it used for?

Question

Are people using methadone to get high even if they are not being treated for the addiction?

Answer 1

Methadone is a (synthetic opiate) narcotic that when administered orally, in adequate doses suppresses an opiate addict's craving and withdrawal for 24-36hrs. It is also prescribed to treat severe pain. It should be noted that Addiction clinics (Methadone Clinics) are the only ones that administer liquid Methadone and 40mg wafers. Methadone given for pain is prescribed by approved pain management doctors who are only allowed to prescribe 5 or 10mg tablets. Therefore when you hear of someone with a bottle of methadone pills they were obtained from a pain doctor and not a methadone clinic. Also, people who attend the clinics for addiction are being prescribed methadone at a level that is suppose to be therapeutic against withdrawal and not to get high from. Some methadone has been diverted to the street unfortunately which people who are not "opiate tolerant" buy to become "high". This often results in death either because they are not opiate tolerant or they mix the drug with something else that is incompatible. When used correctly Methadone is one of the safest and oldest meds on the market to treat addiction.  

Answer 2

It's a synthetic opiate.

It is often used as a substitute to heroin in order to wean addicts off it.

Answer 3

Not 100% sure WHAT it is (chemically), but I do know it is used for treating heroin addicts.