Methadone treatment simply involves substituting one addicting drug for another.

While methadone is a drug that produces dependence, methadone has been shown to reduce the craving for the dangerous illegal drug heroin. By placing an “addict” into a controlled methadone program, clinicians can monitor their progress, encourage abstinence from heroin, help the addict find a job, and gradually reduce the methadone dose. Many people choose to take methadone in place of heroin, which is less dangerous than injecting heroin “on the street”. Also, there is some sentiment for providing free heroin to opioid-dependent people, to make them more comfortable, reducing their criminal behavior, and helping them find places for treatment. Many of these people actually want help but can’t find it.