In his May 2025 essay for Behavioral Health News, Dr. Michael Coburn of AdCare Rhode Island powerfully challenges the stigma around methadone maintenance: a lifesaving medical treatment unjustly demonized as “junk therapy” or worse—even referred to by critics as “just another form of drug dealing.” Yet, the data tell a life-saving story. Methadone maintenance is associated with a 59% reduction in opioid overdose deaths compared to those without it.
This isn’t an abstract idea—it’s a practical, proven solution. Methadone works by suppressing withdrawal symptoms, curbing cravings, and blocking the euphoric effects of opioids like heroin or fentanyl. It provides stability when the brain is overwhelmed, giving individuals the space to rebuild.
Why Methadone Works—and Why It’s Misunderstood
- A Medical Intervention, Not Moral Judgment
Methadone treats opioid use disorder as the chronic disease it is—not a moral failing. Like any essential medicine, benefits far outweigh controlled risks (e.g., sedation, constipation) - Highly Regulated and Safe
Methadone is dispensed under strict federal protocol: supervised dosing, counseling, random drug testing, and carefully monitored take-homes. It's not ‘reckless handing out’—it’s structured, individualized care - Debunking “Trading One Addiction for Another”
Methadone doesn’t fuel addiction—it stabilizes brain chemistry, mitigates the chaos of repeated detox, and frees people to build healthier lives - Reducing Harm Across the Board
Access to methadone means fewer overdoses, less street-drug use, fewer infections (like HIV/Hep C), and less neighborhood instability. It saves communities, not just individuals - Stigma Is the Greatest Barrier
Delayed access—often by a decade or more—is driven not by medical reasoning but by societal judgment, misinformation, and outdated laws
A Message of Hope and Action
To anyone who doubts or fears methadone: this isn’t about contingency or punishment—it’s about life. It’s about restoring dignity, offering stability, and providing a path toward recovery when everything else feels broken.
We can’t afford to lose faith in evidence-based treatments now. When opioid overdoses continue to claim lives—and fentanyl remains pervasive—the best response is compassion backed by science, not stigma.
Where Symetria Recovery Stands
At Symetria Recovery, we integrate Medication-Assisted Treatment—including methadone when appropriate—within a client-centered, outpatient framework that includes therapy, psychiatry, and support in one place. We aim to reduce barriers, restore hope, and respect each person’s unique journey.
If you—or someone you care about—has been told methadone is harmful rather than healing, we're here to help correct that narrative. Let’s trust the data, not the stigma.
Contact Us
- Phone: 866-955-2481
- Same-Day & Next-Day Appointments Available
- Insurance: We accept most plans (Medicaid not accepted).