WEBVTT OLDEST ANDMOST WIDELY USED TREATMENT.>> 23 REHABS, 23 TIMES OFNARCAN, I GOT CLEAN AT 23.REPORTER THIS WOMAN KNOWS THECYCLE OF ADDICTION.SHE'S WATCHED FRIEND DIE, FOUNDHERSELF IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS,TIED TO AN ADDICTION SO FIERCESHE HAS OVERDOSED OVER AND OVERAGAIN.>> I WOULD SIGN MYSELF OUT OFTHE HOSPITAL, YOU KNOW, AND GOMEET MY DEALER RIGHT IN MERCYHOSPITAL'S EMERGENCY PARKINGLOT, LIKE IT'S ABSURD.REPORTER: AFTER A DECADE OFHEAVY DRUG USE AND 23 STINTS INREHAB BRI IS FINALLY ON THE ROADTO RECOVERY BUT IT WASN'T EASY.>> THERE WER NO OPTION FOR LIKEREHABS, COULDN'T GET INTO AREHAB.WE CONTINUE -- EVEN IF WE GOTINTO A REHAB WE HAVE NOWHERE TOGO AFTERWARDS.REPORTER: IT WAS THE MOTHER OFBRI ANSWER FIANCE WHO POSED THESOLUTION.SHE ALLOWED HER SON AND BRI TOSTAY IN HER HOME AS LONG AS THEYWENT TO A METHADONE TREATMENT TOBEGIN TREATMENT.>> IT'S GOOD BUT VERY POWERFUL.REPORTER: DR. MITCHELL WEST ISWITH THE ALLEGANY HEALTNETWORK.>> METHADONE IS A THING THATDIRECTLY STIMULATES THE OPIOIDRECEPTORS IN MUCH THE SAME WAYTHAT HEROIN DOES.IT JUST DOESN'T PRODUCE AS MUCHOF A HIGH.IT LASTS LONGER THAN HEROIN DOESSO YOU ONLY HAVE TO BE DOZEDONCE A DAY.REPORTER: BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GOTO THE CLINIC EVERY DAY AND BEAROUND OTH USERS IN ACTIVEADDICTION METHADONE OFTEN GETS ABAD RAP.>> THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS THE HELPTHE THEIS PLACES TO BE.WHEN YOU WALK OUT OF A METHADONECLINIC THERE ARE OFTEN OTHERDRUGS THAT ARE SOLD.REPORTER: BRI SAYS IT'S THE ONETHING THAT SAVED HER LIFE.>> I'M A BIG PROPONENT IT.IT'S HARD TO GET OFF OF.I SHOULD NOT BE HERE.REPORTER: DR. WEST ADDS FORSOMEONE WITH VERY STRONGCRAVINGS, METHADONE MAY BE THEBEST OPTION.>> IF A DRU DOESN'T SUPPRESSCRAVINGS WELL ENOUGH BECAUSEIT'S A PARTIAL STIMULATOR,PURPOSE.REPORTER: BOTH SAY TO BECOME ASUCCESS STORY ONE OF THE MOSTIMPORTANT COMPONENTS OFTREATMENT IS PROPER COUNSELING.>> THE METHADONE CLINICS IFYOU'RE DOING IT RIGHT, I MEANI'M LIVING PROOF YOU CAN ACHIEVEYOUR SOBRIETY.I HAD AN AMAZING COUNSELOR WHO ICALLED DAILY, EVERY DAY WHEN IWANTED TO GET HIGH BECAUSE THERE