Methadone Clinic

There is an opioid crisis that claims more lives every day. Many people suffer from addictions without ever getting help, while others reach out to friends and family for help. While moral support is essential when battling addiction, clinical assistance is the only way to effectively meat opioid addiction. For those struggling with opioid addiction, getting professional help from a methadone clinic can help.

The Opioid Epidemic

According to NIDA, as much as 30% of patients who are prescribed opioids will end up abusing them. Of that number, 13% will develop an addiction or disorder, while 5% will graduate to harder drugs such as heroin. This may seem like a small number, but when you think about the number of people in the US, that percentage equates to hundreds of thousands of users.

When thinking about addiction, there are many reasons that people start to abuse opioid drugs. For many, these drugs were prescribed as a pain killer which slowly morphed into an addiction over time. For others, it is a way to self-medicate due to undiagnosed mental health conditions or even as a means of escape from reality. Whatever the reason, we can all agree that opioid addiction has reached the levels of an epidemic. No matter serious the addiction however, there is help available at methadone clinics for those who are committed to getting clean and staying sober.

Treatment Available in Methadone Clinics

There are a few different treatment paths offered in methadone clinics. Medication-assisted treatment with methadone is almost always used in partnership with evidence-based behavioral treatment. The medication, in this case, methadone, helps to reduce the strength of withdrawal symptoms when a person is stopping their use of opioids. Methadone also helps to curb cravings during the detox and recovery process which gives addicts a better chance of staying sober. In addition to MAT, evidence-based behavioral treatment such as individual counseling, addiction education, and group counseling are also used.

Methadone is one of the first medications approved by the FDA for use in the fight against opioid addiction. It has been employed in methadone clinics and drug rehab centers since the mid-50s. It was initially used to treat those addicted to illicit drugs such as heroin, but in recent years, it has also been used to treat addiction to prescription opioids.

Methadone comes in both liquid and capsule form but is only available by prescription. It is also highly regulated by the federal government. Unlike other medications you can fill at a pharmacy, you will need to visit an approved methadone clinic to receive a measured dosage. 

How Do Methadone Clinics Work?

Methadone clinics are drug addiction centers created for the sole purpose of dealing with opioid addiction. They provide medically assisted drug treatment using medications such as naltrexone, methadone, and Suboxone. The point of treatment is to help reduce the cravings and easing the withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using opioids. Every methadone clinic is federally regulated in addition to being regulated by the state. Methadone clinics also must be certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

There are several steps in the treatment process, the first being an evaluation. During the initial visit, the clinic staff will screen and evaluate a person’s level of addiction and create a customized treatment plan based on their need. Depending on the level of addiction and their drug use history, the administration of methadone may be closely monitored. In addition, methadone treatment may be dangerous for some people that have underlying health conditions. During the evaluation, the clinic will take a full history to ascertain if methadone is the best treatment option.

Methadone clinics will provide methadone maintenance therapy that usually includes a daily dose of medication for the first ten days. During this time of detox and adjustment, there will also be counseling sessions, group meetings, and other therapies to help manage substance abuse behaviors. Once a recovering patient has remained in compliance with their treatment schedule for a minimum of six months, they may be allowed to take a few days' worth or weeks’ worth of medication home.

Long Term Treatment At A Methadone Clinic

Similar to the treatment offered at suboxone clinics, the treatment offered in methadone clinics will depend on the needs of each individual. While there are a few standard evidence-based parts of each program, dosing and monitoring are highly customized. Therapy and group counseling are standard regardless of which methadone clinic a person visits. Some methadone clinics provide residential care similar to that of an addiction rehab, while others are strictly for outpatient services.

During the detox phase of treatment at a methadone clinic, patients are closely monitored to ensure their safety and well-being during the withdrawal stage. This can take as little as a week or as long as a month depending on the person. CBT is often a critical treatment provided during detox and throughout the treatment process. This helps recovering addicts to learn to manage their anxiety, cravings, and anger that comes during the recovery process. Comprehensive treatment that tackles the physical needs of a recovering addict in addition to their emotional and mental health needs help prevent avoidable relapse episodes.

It is important for anyone battling an addiction to follow their prescribed methadone treatment plan consistently. In addition, by following protocols established for opioid treatment, the chances of long-lasting recovery increase exponentially. For those looking to quit their use of opioid drugs, methadone clinics are an excellent choice.

How to Find A Methadone Clinic Near Me?

Coping with an addiction to opioids can often feel like an uphill battle with no end in sight. The withdrawal symptoms and cravings that come with quitting can make it hard to follow through. With the help of a professional methadone clinic and a comprehensive addiction treatment program, getting clean is no longer a hopeless venture. With the help of our methadone treatment locator tool, we can match you with a methadone clinic that offers replacement therapy for those seeking to break their dependence on opioids.