Final answer:
Methadone maintenance therapy is a treatment where a doctor prescribes methadone to replace heroin, helping to manage withdrawal symptoms and decrease dependence on opioids. This substitute therapy aims to reduce cravings and make detoxification from opioids more tolerable for the individual in recovery.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person addicted to heroin undergoes treatment, they may be prescribed methadone by a doctor to aid in recovery. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that acts on the same receptors as heroin but is less euphoric, reducing the withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin cessation. This process, known as methadone maintenance therapy, is used to help individuals gradually taper off their dependence on stronger opioids like heroin.
Withdrawal symptoms from opioids can be excruciating and include severe flu-like symptoms but are generally not life-threatening. By substituting heroin with methadone, the severity of withdrawal symptoms can be mitigated, allowing the person to function more normally as they work on their recovery. Methadone clinics provide a controlled environment where the dosage of methadone can be carefully managed and reduced over time, eventually leading to abstinence from opioid use.
Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatment with Methadone
- Physical dependence on opioids like heroin can cause withdrawal symptoms such as pain, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and flu-like symptoms.
- A doctor may prescribe methadone to alleviate these symptoms and support the recovery process.
- Methadone functions by decreasing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing for a more manageable detoxification from opioids.