Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting medication, dosed once per day, that alleviates and prevents withdrawal symptoms, reduces or eliminates physiological cravings for opiates, and allows for normalization of your daily functioning. Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) has been used to treat opiate addiction and physical dependence for the past 50 years. Methadone can benefit individuals with addiction to or physical dependence on any opiate, some of which are listed below.

Is Methadone Treatment Right for You?

Beginning MMT can help stabilize and improve your health and can move you towards getting the care you need.

• Have you been through detoxification and found you couldn't feel normal?
  MMT can allow you to regain a sense of normalcy.
• Have you been using opioids, such as those listed above, but can’t seem to stop?
  MMT can help you quit using those drugs and focus on your life.
• Are you pregnant and still using?
  Withdrawal from opiates can cause stress on your developing baby and may lead to miscarriage. Methadone can help prevent miscarriage by reducing the severity of withdrawal or eliminating it altogether.
• Have you tested positive for HIV or Hepatitis C?
  HIV and Hepatitis C are most prominently spread through the practice of injection drug use. MMT can allow you to stop using needles to prevent the spread of infections to others and reduce your chance of acquiring infections.
• MMT provides a structured approach to treating opioid addiction. This treatment is designed for those who desire to add structure and stability back to their lives.
  

Call or come in to our office to speak with someone from our trained medical staff to determine if you’re a candidate for methadone maintenance treatment.

What to expect in our methadone maintenance treatment program

• When you arrive, you will be asked to fill out a medical history questionnaire.
  
• You will then meet with one of our counselors at which time you can discuss goals and expectations that you may have.
•  Our nurse will then collect a detailed medical history, obtain your vital signs, and collect blood and urine samples for screening.
• You will then meet with one of our physicians for further history and a physical exam.
  
• Once you are deemed appropriate and safe for treatment, you will be able to receive your first dose of medication and start moving forward on your path to recovery.
• We try our best to make this a seamless and efficient process. You should plan to spend about 1-3 hours at our office on your first day.
  
• Your subsequent days in treatment will mostly consist of you coming in to get your medication dose for that day and meeting with your counselor on days you choose to have a counseling session.