# methadone

/ˈmɛθəˌdoʊn/ (US) · /mˈɛθɐdˌəʊn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/methadone
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a strong medicine used to help people stop using other drugs like heroin. It is usually taken as a liquid or a pill and helps reduce the pain and withdrawal symptoms.

For teachers: a synthetic opioid used primarily for the management of severe pain and as a maintenance therapy for opioid addiction. It is typically administered orally or via injection to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

## Examples

- The doctor prescribed methadone to help him quit heroin.
- As part of a supervised detox program, patients receive methadone to manage withdrawal symptoms while their bodies adjust to being free of other opioids.
- While methadone is highly effective in stabilizing patients during recovery, its long half-life necessitates careful dosing to prevent accidental overdose, especially when combined with other central nervous system depressants.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.