What is Opioid Addiction?

Opioid Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsively seeking and using Opiates, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain - they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting, and can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs.


 

Methadone is a rigorously well-tested medication that is safe and effective for the treatment of narcotic withdrawal and dependence.  For more than 50 years this synthetic narcotic has been used to treat opioid addiction.