A methadone clinic can be described as a facility that treats people who are addicted to opioid drugs like heroin and prescription painkillers. Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) are also known as methadone clinics. To stabilize patients from unmanageable withdrawal symptoms, they receive treatment medication such as methadone. This allows them to receive effective and long-lasting recovery therapy. Methadone, an opioid analgesic, is used to provide patients with a tolerable way to stop using illegal opioids. It also helps to prevent the patient from returning to these drugs.
Methadone must always be administered by a medical professional. For long-term recovery, medication-assisted therapy is often paired with counseling services.
Every patient is treated individually. The factors that are considered include the type of drug being used, the duration of the drug, co-occurring medical conditions, and the patient’s response to treatment.
Methadone is prescribed for opioid addiction. It does not cause cravings for illicit opioids or the high that comes with using illegal drugs. Methadone is a legal medication for opioid addiction in the United States. It suppresses withdrawal symptoms for up to 24-hours, according the National Drug Intelligence Center’s Methadone Fast Facts.
Patients can also receive counseling in addition to methadone treatment. Counseling helps prevent drug relapse and helps patients deal stress, rebuild personal relationships, and achieve professional goals. For the complete treatment and recovery of the patient, counseling sessions can be offered in a variety of settings including family, group and one-on-one.
Some patients respond quickly to treatment, while others require more time to achieve stability.
Methadone therapy is a combination of professional counseling and heroin treatment that can provide the following benefits for patients who are addicted to heroin or prescription painkillers:
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has established the Drug Addiction Treatment, which states that methadone is the best method to treat opioid dependence when used in combination with other protocols.
These protocols can be explored further in Chapter 4 of Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol and Drugs and Health.
Patients will discuss their health history and drug use with a local healthcare provider on the first day. A blood and urine test will be done on all patients. To prescribe an individual treatment plan, medical professionals will review the patient’s current health and examine their past health.
On their first visit, patients may be given treatment medication. To ensure that the correct medication is given to stabilize the patient, a patient must be showing withdrawal symptoms.
The medical staff informs patients about the treatment plan, sets goals and provides guidelines to ensure patient safety and success.
Initial patients are required to attend the methadone clinic each day in order to receive their medication and to have counseling sessions. Patients who show stability and dependability over time may be allowed to take their medication home and only visit the clinic for check-ups.
A methadone clinic will have medical professionals such as counselors, nurses, and physicians. The office will have administrative and business staff to help with its daily operations.
Patients are welcome to have their partners, spouses, and family members support them throughout treatment and recovery. If the patient consents, family members and friends can accompany the patient to any appointment.
It is important to choose a reputable and experienced medical facility that is licensed and accredited.
As these are crucial parts of recovery, the clinic should provide support services such as counseling and community connections.
Start by looking online for reviews about methadone clinics. People should feel at ease with the staff and the treatment program when they visit a clinic. A clinic should be clean and welcoming.
Patients will spend the first day there, so it is important that the clinic is accessible for patients with flexible business hours.
At Another Way Methadone Clinic in Washington, DC, our providers give personalized and customized treatment plans to our patients. Contact us today to learn more!
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