1.1 The Origins and Development of Methadone
Methadone, a synthetic opioid agonist, was first synthesized in 1937 by German scientists searching for a pain medication with less addictive potential than morphine. Initially known as Polamidon, it wasn’t until after World War II that methadone gained widespread use in medical settings. The drug’s potential for treating opioid addiction was discovered in the 1960s, leading to its adoption as a maintenance therapy for individuals struggling with heroin dependence.