Methadone, a chemical used to treat adult heroin addicts, may help teenagers who are addicted to heroin and other opiate drugs, according to a study from Ireland.

Currently, European doctors are restricted from prescribing methadone to people under the age of 18. However, the new study, which focused on 19-year-old addicts, found that methadone could be helpful during treatment. Teenagers in Europe are increasingly experimenting with opiate drugs, especially heroin and prescription painkillers, as are their peers in the United States.

Methadone is widely used to treat adult heroin addicts in the United States.

Labels: addicts, heroin, methadone