How Do Gainesville Methadone Clinics Work?

What Is Methadone?

Methadone is a synthetic opioid often prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Methadone is most commonly known for treating opiate addiction, including heroin use. Through the use of this medication, the opioid receptors in the brain are blocked, which helps inhibit the effects of opioids. Opioid withdrawal is known to have severe withdrawal symptoms that are unpleasant and, often, unbearable for many. The use of methadone helps to alleviate the severity of symptoms and keep the individual feeling comfortable while maintaining overall physical and emotional safety. While this form of treatment can be effective, many people ask, how do methadone clinics work?

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

How Do Methadone Clinics Work?

Patients within a methadone clinic will be offered a variety of addiction treatment methods that will help the patient overcome their opioid addiction through methadone and therapeutic techniques. After methadone is administered, patients will feel the effects of this synthetic opioid for 30 minutes, and after using methadone repeatedly, patients will experience the results for up to 24 hours. As your withdrawal symptoms subside after administering methadone, you will be present in body and mind to focus on healing from the deep-seated causes for your addiction while developing tools to navigate future triggers, so you remain on track to maintain sobriety.

Methadone Side Effects

Common methadone side effects that can occur within patients are:

• Slowed breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Small, constricted pupils
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty with vision
• Sleep pattern changes or insomnia
• Inability to concentrate
• Headaches
• Delayed or slowed reflexes
• Muscle weakness or pains

Alternatives to Methadone

For Gainesville residents who want to detox from opioids but are looking for an alternative method than methadone, other medications can support a safe, comfortable detox from opioids. Another common medication used in opioid detox is buprenorphine, also known as suboxone. Buprenorphine acts similarly to methadone as it blocks the opioid receptors in the brain that prevent the individual from feeling the effects of opioids when used.

Patients can avoid fatal overdose and severe health consequences from opioid use through using this medication. Suboxone also provides relief for patients regarding their severe withdrawal symptoms by preventing patients from experiencing severe side effects and helping to maintain their withdrawal symptoms to a mild or moderate level.

Naltrexone is another medication that is commonly used for opioid detox. The difference between Naltrexone and suboxone and methadone is that its primary function is to block the opioid receptors in the brain responsible for you feeling the effects of opioids. Patients will experience decreased drug cravings, and Naltrexone cannot support patients in withdrawal management. Still, it can be used in conjunction with buprenorphine to give patients the peace of mind that side effects from opioid withdrawal will be managed along with avoiding any future drug cravings.

MAT Drug Rehab

Medication assisted treatment (MAT) program provides individuals with a space to heal from addiction within a drug rehab center while providing medication support to maintain withdrawal side effects. Patients run the highest risk of leaving rehab during the detox process due to the intense withdrawal symptoms. As you are provided medication that will help mitigate those symptoms, you will have access to medical professionals and therapists to address your physical well-being and safety while also providing you the emotional support you need to identify the driving force for your addiction.

WhiteSands Suboxone Clinics

WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab offers Gainesville residents a drug rehab center that uses the latest in addiction research while incorporating suboxone clinics to administer this life-saving prescription medication to assist patients in overcoming their opioid addiction. We offer individualized care to each patient who enters our programs to ensure that you are provided with the comprehensive therapy methods provided while focusing on your physical safety and comfortability through the use of suboxone. Our team of nurses and physicians will closely monitor your time with us as you progress through your detox process and make adjustments to your program to ensure it is current and relevant to your progression in detox. WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab offers a whole person approach to addiction treatment that focuses on healing each patient physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Our goal is to help you achieve your ultimate goal of living a happy, healthy life in sobriety.

Contact one of our expert team of medical professionals and counselors today to have any of your questions answered about how do methadone clinics work so you can get started on your healing journey.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.