Why do doctors prescribe methadone for heroin addiction?

Can you answer zed hex’s question about Addiction?:

The withdrawals from methadone addiction take 3 times longer than for heroin (3 weeks against 5 days), and are more painful. I suspect that methadone is preferred simply because it does not give such an intense high as heroin. The medical profession seem to think that getting their patients hooked on a much worse drug is acceptable just as long as no one actually gets high.

Perhaps their interests are more puritanical than medical.
The responses so far seem to miss the point - I am commenting on the hypocrisy of prescribing something more dangerous (methadone) to ‘treat’ a something less dangerous (heroin), for reasons of moral convenience (no high to get guilty about, and easier maintenance). Isn’t this simply unethical? One of the basic tenets of the hyppocratic oath is: “above all, do no harm”. This gets conveniently forgotten about when dealing with what society deems “self inflicted” problems such as addiction.

Prescription Pain Killer Addiction

is a methadone addiction harder to kick than an Oxycontin addiction?

Can you answer shisyd99’s question about Addiction?:

any comparasion or details would be greatly appreciated. thank you

Addiction Tips

What are the downsides to using methadone for addiction treatment?

Can you answer cinthia cb’s question about Addiction?:

I have a friend who has finally decided to get herself treated for her heroin addiction. I’ve heard a lot of good things about buprenorphine as a detox option, but I know that a lot of people are still banking on methadone as a good way of detoxing. I just want to know the disadvantages of using methadone so that I can warn my friend as well as help her in making a decision.

Drug Detox Programs

What do you think about using methadone for opiate addiction?

Can you answer jessica’s question about Addiction?:

It works wonderfully for my herion addiction and I don’t want to go off of it since I know I’d immediately start using again. So many people consider it a “heroin substitute”. However, I DO NOT get high on it and it is medically controlled so when taken correctly, there is little risk of an overdose. Not to mention all the awful things that go along with heroin addiction like the risk of contaminated needles, drugs laced with deadly substances, doing illegal things to get your “fix”, and the fact that you will eventually end up dead or in prison. The problem is that I still have problems with alcohol and cocaine and methadone DOESN’T help with those addictions. I want to get help for all my substance problems but almost all rehabs are VERY AGAINST Methadone. I don’t want to be on Methadone the rest of my life. I will eventually wean myself off (VERY SLOWLY) so that I don’t get sick (it is addictive like heroin). Any thoughts about this? Please be kind. This is rough!

Drug Detox Programs

Excellent Addiction Resources Added Today…

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Irene Aldersson, Editor i-Addiction.com