[tacticalogic]

The whole idea of using one abusable substance to treat the addiction to another abusable substance is insane.

Like methadone?

[45Auto]

Methadone might be useful in the early stages of treating opiate addiction; it is, in my opinion, not too useful over the long term precisely because it simply substitutes one drug for another. The addict still has to remain "in the cycle" of drug using behavior, even though methadone is somewhat less "disrupting" to one's daily behavior. Current medical philosophy and that of addiction treatment is that there is no "easier, softer way" to beat an addiction whether to alcohol or other drug. There is more to addiction then merely weaning the addict from a preferred substance. Long-term counseling including twelve step programs like AA, have a fair success rate, although one could argue about the details. No treatment will work if the addict refuses to see that once started, he/she cannot control the level, outcome , or repetition of drug use.