Definition

A strong man-made drug used to help people recover from addiction to stronger opioids like heroin and to manage chronic pain.

Example

The doctor prescribed methadone to help the patient manage their pain and reduce cravings for heroin.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new clinic that offers methadone treatment?

Yeah, I heard it's been really helpful for people struggling with addiction.

I think using methadone as a substitute can really change lives.

Definitely! It's great that there are options out there for recovery.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Methadone is derived from the German word 'Methadon', which is a combination of 'Meth-' (from 'Methyl', referring to a chemical group) and '-adon' (a suffix used in chemistry). The term refers to a synthetic opioid used for pain relief and as part of drug addiction detoxification programs.

Memory Tip

Think of 'Methyl' as a chemical group that helps you remember that methadone is a synthetic drug used for pain relief.

Visually Confused Words