Doctors use what works! If the research says that methadone plus rehab is a more effective treatment for opioid addiction than just rehab, they’ll use methadone plus rehab.

It’s basically the same reason people use nicotine gum to help quit smoking. The cravings can be really tough to manage, so having something that allows you to reduce those gives you a much better chance to successfully quit.

Interesting note, you know what the treatment for severe alcoholism is? More alcohol! Alcohol addiction can get to the point where patients will literally die if they go cold turkey. Doctors can and do prescribe alcohol in those cases.