Methadone is an opioid, which is synthetically produced. It is used mainly as a substitute drug abuse for heroin addicts. Methadone was developed in 1929 in the IG Farben.

By breaking up the group after the war, however, was the first drug produced by the American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. It was used primarily as a painkiller. Since methadone but very addictive, makes this use is no longer common. Only in a few exceptional cases, for example in cancer pain, methadone is used as a painkiller.

Methadone can be used in different ways than Heroinsubstitut. During the blockade of the methadone addict methadone is supplied so much that he has no more need for heroin. This will be achieved above all that the illegal procurement of heroin is no longer necessary. When the addict methadone reduction method also starts with the maximum amount, but it will be reduced continuously.

In practice it has been shown that this addiction is not reduced, however, usually. Most addicts rather start again with the consumption of heroin. Therefore, it is now once again begun to replace the whole needs of methadone to heroin. To combat the addiction, but further measures are needed.

Methadone is administered in government programs (kbs970) oral only. Thus, the kick is dropped, resulting from the intravenous award. This is similar to methadone for heroin. But this kick increases addiction yet, so it makes sense to waive him.