Well, it is what you get to ween you off heroin. But Methodone is also super addictive, just less bad.

I am not a doctor but I had a roommate and best friend that went through the heroin -> Methadone process a few times. It isn’t pretty.

I can’t think of a single reason to give out Methodone for pain management. There are other less addictive drugs that should provide the same comfort.

” I think it’s habit forming, right? ”

Methadone is an addicting synthetic narcotic not generally used for managing pain.

Where is this?

Methadone is commonly used (in the US and the UK and many other places) to manage severe chronic pain as it has a long duration of effect and is cheap. It can be habit forming (as can many other medications used to manage pain) but it is used in much, much lower doses than when treating opiate withdrawal.

Fun fact – Heroin is a brand name for diamorphine which was originally marketed for the treatment of treatment of morphine addiction…

Yep, around here the methadone clinics are far worse. Instead of buying illegal pills, you have to show up, jump through rings, and pay quite a bit for methadone. It’s just trading one addiction for another more expensive one.

I’m very surprised that norco’s wouldn’t work for anyone’s pain, or time-release dilaudid. Both better than methadone, too, at least for my mom’s cancer/ arthritis pains.

@ Lightlyseared

Just looked up that US usage. You are correct. Recently methadone is used by physicians as an analgesic.

I would imagine that even if it is habit forming if it is the only thing that lets her get out of bed, it is worth it.

agree with @KNOWITALL – I guess if that’s the only way to manage her pain… but, I was on methadone for several years, and the detox is 10x worse than heroin, if your’e in a spot where you can’t get it, or can’t afford it and have to come off it,you will die with no medical treatment.

I’d rather be addicted to something than bed ridden. Easy choice.

Dr. House gave it up. Too risky.

It’s less risky for heroin addicts, though.