methadone
UK: ˈmeθədəʊn | US: ˈmeθədoʊn
n. a synthetic opioid drug used medically as a painkiller and as part of drug addiction detoxification or maintenance programs.
The word "methadone" was coined in the mid-20th century as a synthetic opioid was developed. The prefix "meth-" refers to the methyl group (CH₃) in its chemical structure, while "-one" is a common suffix in chemistry denoting a ketone functional group (C=O). The middle segment "ad" is unclear in origin but may relate to its pharmacological classification or be an arbitrary placeholder. The term reflects its chemical composition rather than a historical linguistic evolution.
Methadone is often prescribed to help individuals recover from heroin addiction.
The clinic provides methadone treatment under strict medical supervision.
Long-term use of methadone requires careful dosage management.
Some countries use methadone as part of harm reduction strategies.
Withdrawal from methadone can be challenging without professional support.