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Frequently Asked Questions about 
Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) 

Q. Is methadone used for opiate (heroin, Oxy’s, perks) withdrawal?
A. Methadone is used for withdrawal in many detox programs. Withdrawing from opiates is not usually the problem—staying off the opiates is. 

Q. Is methadone “trading one addiction for another”?
A. Addicts join a methadone program because they are unable to stay off opiates. When you are maintained on methadone and not considered “drug free,” you are still in treatment and being helped. Experts often compare methadone maintenance to a diabetic who needs insulin to function normally. Heroin addiction is a life-threatening condition and research supports that MMT is the most effective treatment for narcotics.

Q. Is methadone more addicting than heroin?
A. When someone wants to end treatment, withdrawal from methadone may be a difficult and lengthy process, but if the patient follows a medically supervised schedule in which the dose is gradually tapered off, he or she can accomplish withdrawal with minimal discomfort.

Q. Does methadone get into the bone marrow and rot teeth?
A. No. Clients sometimes complain that their “bones are aching.” But this is usually due to under-medication (dose too low) of methadone. This or other withdrawal symptoms should be discussed with your Medical Director as to whether your dose should be adjusted. 
Rotting teeth? In general, people who are actively rarely think about brushing their teeth. So once in treatment and the pain relief of heroin is gone, it seems that their teeth have suddenly begun to rot. But years of irregular brushing and lack of dental visits cause the decay.

Q. What does research say about MMT?
1. Methadone maintenance has assisted addicts in recovery by eliminating cravings, while blocking the euphoric effects (highs) of heroin. 
2. MMT has proven to reduce criminal activity, decrease the spread of communicable diseases and lessen the number of emergency room visits. 
3. Overall, MMT helps people to get and keep a job, rebuild relationships, and improve their quality of life.