Why do some people become addicted to Methadone if is used to help quit a addiction to opiates?

Question by uabillmeier: Why do some people become addicted to Methadone if is used to help quit a addiction to opiates?
I have read that many addicts are prescribed Methadone to stop a addiction to opiates such as Oxycontin or Hydrocodone. In turn I have read that Methadone is highly addictive. From my understanding Methadone blocks any euphoric feelings that the opiates can create. So what is a addict feeling from Methadone that gets them addicted to the drug? Could someone try to explain this to me in lay mans terms?

Best answer:

Answer by abs Oreks
methadone is a drug that has an equal amount of potency to a drug like morphine. this means a small amount is needed to get a strong effect like morphine. it produces physical dependence like morphine which is a very strong opioid. but the reason it is used to weak addicts of drugs is because it has a milder withdrawal symptom that is spread over a few days to weeks, as opposed to the withdrawal of the drugs you have mentioned where the withdrawal symptoms are really intense.

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