But going on methadone takes the pressure off maintaining a habit, giving you time to think, to work, to sort things out without worrying about where your next hit is coming from, and to help you cut your connections to the drug scene. Methadone has been used to treat heroin addiction for about thirty years, although the way methadone is used has changed a lot in that time. This booklet is about how methadone treatment works today. There are two types of methadone program. The goal is to reduce the harm associated with drug use, and to improve overall quality of life.
Most people find they do better on a maintenance program, rather than a withdrawal program.
The program for you will depend on your particular needs and situation, and this should be discussed with your doctor. There are major benefits to be gained by going on methadone, but there are also some issues that you need to consider carefully. To view pdf files you must install Adobe Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader is free. Download it from the Adobe website.