Methadone is a synthetic opioid first developed by Germans for use in pain management in WWII. Because of its unique interaction with the brain, the Institute of Medicine reports studies and trials found methadone useful in breaking the heroin habit. This interaction, different from the opiates heroin and morphine, allows methadone to be used for years in regular doses to treat opiate addiction.
Behavioral Effects
The oral administration of methadone assists in breaking the needle-euphoria related cycle. IOM states that oral delivery, once hypothesized, now has proven to break the behavioral link to illicit lifestyle and congregating to share drug paraphernalia such as needles. Patients do not associate methadone treatment and maintenance with drug-seeking behavior breaking the psychological dependence.
Drug Cravings
The IOM tells us that opiate users experience a euphoria that has a rapid onset and an equally rapid decline that lasts from four to six hours. After that, another dose is required to achieve the "high." Methadone provides a longer lasting effect of up to 24 hours. It stays in the liver and is released into the blood stream more slowly than opiates, eliminating the highs and lows. This long-acting release allows daily dosing over extended periods of time, eliminating opiate cravings.
Withdrawal Effects
Methadone binds to brain receptors that the body's natural painkillers, endorphins, bind to. By doing so it blocks other opiates from access to these receptors. This blockage helps eliminate the use for opiates and allows the body's systems to balance, ridding itself of uncontrolled and compulsive tendencies related to addiction. Methadone does have withdrawal side effects, but not as extreme as opiates.
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