I started thinking about this cause I’m currently going through kratom withdrawal myself, which is an opioid receptor agonist. I’m basically going through a very mild version of opioid withdrawal, which is certainly manageable, but not pleasant, with its flu-like symptoms.

So, opioid use disorder used to be (and still is) a huge problem in some countries. The stronger and commonly abused opioids, like heroin, morphine and fentanyl, as I understand it, are extremely addicting, but I’m no expert on this subject.

What I don’t get tho…is for opioid use disorder, doctors prescribe methadone? Another synthetic opioid? Why? I’m genuinely curious.
From a quick Wikipedia read, it seems that methadone does cause addiction itself and withdrawal is actually longer than other opioids, that are used recreationally. Are the withdrawal symptoms less severe? Is it an effective form of treatment? I really do not know and I’m quite curious.

If someone had personal experience to share, that would probably be best.
But my question is basically: Methadone? Why the fuck do they prescribe that for opioid use disorder?

Sorry for the stupid question, I’m not very well educated on this subject and also really curious.

  • 474D@lemmy.world
    35·
    11 days ago

    From the exact same Wikipedia article:

    "The principal goals of methadone maintenance are to relieve opioid cravings, suppress the abstinence syndrome, and block the euphoric effects associated with opioids.

    When used correctly in treatment, maintenance therapy is medically safe, non-sedating, and can provide a slow recovery from opioid addiction."

    It’s literally just an effective and proven treatment for withdrawal.

  • fullsquare@awful.systems
    13·
    11 days ago

    from what i understand, part of it is because methadone has a very long half life, which means that patients don’t bounce from rush to crash every day but instead taper down slowly. also because it touches other receptors than opioid receptors in a way that helps in this case

  • countvon@lemmy.world
    6·
    11 days ago

    Doctors use what works! If the research says that methadone plus rehab is a more effective treatment for opioid addiction than just rehab, they’ll use methadone plus rehab.

    It’s basically the same reason people use nicotine gum to help quit smoking. The cravings can be really tough to manage, so having something that allows you to reduce those gives you a much better chance to successfully quit.

    Interesting note, you know what the treatment for severe alcoholism is? More alcohol! Alcohol addiction can get to the point where patients will literally die if they go cold turkey. Doctors can and do prescribe alcohol in those cases.

    • Miisha ♀️@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
      5·
      11 days ago

      I see. That makes sense, if it works.

      I’ve heard about nicotine gum before. I know from personal experience that the withdrawals aren’t fun…

      I knew that about alcohol. Still, withdrawals from a drug that’s that commonly used and widely accepted is…scary at best

      Thanks for the comment!

  • Hegar@fedia.io
    6·
    11 days ago

    Unrelated to your question but a loved one of mine had a lot of success with Naltrexone to reduce addictive behaviour. It’s on label for both opoid- and alcohol- use disorders, and sometimes used off label for others. It’s covered by medicaid in my state so not sure how much it might be through regular insurance.

  • Malica@lemmy.zip
    61·
    11 days ago

    Opiate withdrawal can kill I think, they give methadone to spread it out longer to make it easier on the patient. This is what I remember reading, but it’s been a while so if I’m mistaken, apologies.

  • lasta@piefed.worldEnglish
    4·
    11 days ago

    From what I understand, methadone is used to prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms from other opioids without providing the same high, with the goal being to taper off eventually. That is safer and easier to accomplish with clinically approved opioids in regulated doses where purity is consistent across batches than with street drugs.

  • webghost0101@sopuli.xyz
    51·
    11 days ago

    I think other comments already answered way better then i could but what i was tought is that going cold turkey with a physical addiction can cause shock and death.

    Methadone is a very clean/pure opiod and the most safe one to give the boddy what it needs in decreasing amounts while therapy works on the psychological needs.

  • printf("%s", name);@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    3·
    11 days ago

    There are no stupid questions. I have no knowledge to share on the subject of opioids, but it does make me wonder whether the reasons could be similar to why benzodiazepines are the only official drug that they treat benzodiazepine addiction with. The reason here being that there are no other known mitigating substances and a controlled detox is the only way out.