For the last thirty years, methadone was the drug of choice when it came to heroin addiction treatment in South Dakota. Methadone is still used widely today, but its usage is definitely dwindling due to the arrival of drugs such as Subutex and Suboxone, both containing buprenorphine. Since the time buprenorphine has been introduced for heroin rehabilitation in South Dakota, it has managed to oust methadone as the number one choice for heroin addiction treatment in the state.

There are many reasons for this. Though methadone and buprenorphine work in principally the same manner, there are differences on the basis of their intensities. These are both opioids, just like heroin is. When they are introduced in the person’s system, they can reduce the person’s craving for heroin through a replacement therapy. Gradually, as the person comes out of heroin craving, the dosages of methadone and buprenorphine are reduced and the person successfully comes out of the heroin dependency.

However, there are problems in the usage of methadone which buprenorphine has managed to overcome. Methadone is strongly addictive, while buprenorphine is not. There is a danger that the person may have a methadone withdrawal if not administered with care. Methadone can also react with some other medications that the person might be consuming. Hence, methadone always needs to be provided on an inpatient treatment program in South Dakota basis. This is the main reason why buprenorphine has become popular. Due to its mild but constant action, it can be administered on an outpatient basis also.