LAAM addiction is caused by long term intake of LAAM. Levomethadyl Acetate Hydrochloride, also known as Levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM), or Levacetylmethadol (LAM) is an oral narcotic analgesic used to treat opiate dependencies. Similar to methadone, it is a synthetic opiate used as a replacement therapy for illegal heroin use. It does not cure heroin dependency, but it does help prevent withdrawal symptoms when the patient stops using heroin. As a maintenance drug, LAAM binds to pain receptors in the brain which may decrease the patient's cravings for other street drugs and reduce withdrawal symptoms.

LAAM is marketed under the brand name ORLAAM ® and is only available in government-approved drug treatment clinics. Unlike methadone, LAAM does not need to be taken every day. Levomethadyl acetate LAAM Withdrawal can be painful.