The Process of a Methadone Clinic

Methadone for Addiction Treatment

An opioid addiction quickly becomes serious, as opioid drugs cause changes to the way the brain functions, quickly causing the body to crave opioid drugs and producing harsh withdrawal symptoms that can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening.

All that said, opioid addiction is not a life sentence, and a methadone clinic might be the answer you are looking for if you cannot stop using opioid drugs on your own. Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist, a man-made painkiller that causes similar effects in the body as heroin or morphine. When provided at what is known as a “maintenance dose,” methadone can help those with an opioid use disorder overcome their addiction in a safe, measured way that ends with a slow tapering-off of the drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms and relapse.

Some of the benefits of using methadone in a clinic over heroin or other illegally obtained opioid drugs include:

• Going to a methadone clinic is a much safer alternative than using street drugs because there will be no unknown impurities cut into the drug like fentanyl, baking soda, or other substances
• Oral methadone pills and liquids are a better alternative to injections, reducing the risk of infectious diseases and skin infections
• A person addicted to illegal drugs may resort to crime to obtain and use drugs, whereas, in a methadone clinic, this stress is alleviated as they know where and when they will get their next dose
• A methadone maintenance program reduces the risk of relapse and provides relief to patients, helping them clear their minds of constant cravings and withdrawal symptoms so they can focus on recovery

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at (877) 640-7820 to learn how we can help.

When to Consider a Methadone Clinic

If you are a person who currently has an opioid addiction, if you are a person with a history of opioid dependence, and if you are in good physical health without serious health issues and are not using any other drugs or alcohol, a methadone clinic may be the right choice for you.

This is a serious decision that must be made with your doctor, requiring a strong commitment by you to come into the methadone clinic every single day for your dose and to attend regular doctor check-ups to ensure you are staying healthy. Everybody’s needs are different, so you will be assessed by a doctor and/or other addiction specialists before beginning treatment to ensure you are being provided with appropriate care, oversight, and treatments.

You will still be dependent on opioid drugs when in a methadone program, but your doses will be doctor prescribed, and you will be able to take a break from the drug-using lifestyle and focus on recovery efforts like therapy, setting boundaries, community building, and incorporating healthy habits into your life.

Learn about the difference between Suboxone and Methadone here:

Suboxone vs. Methadone: How do They Compare?

The Timeline of Methadone Treatment for Addiction Issues

The treatment timeline in a methadone clinic differs for each client, but you will have to expect your treatment to take time. Overcoming a serious addiction can take months or even years of dedication and hard work every single day. You have to commit to your health and keep your promise to yourself that you will not use drugs, even when it feels impossible not to.

• Days 1-10: When you first come to a methadone clinic, you will start out with a low dose of methadone to see how this particular medication affects you. This amount will gradually increase over time in daily doses until your maintenance dose is reached.
• Days 11 onward: A maintenance dose of methadone will be provided to you, and the effects begin to kick in within 30 minutes, with the peak effects after approximately 3 hours. Effects are felt for approximately 15 hours at first, but as you continue your treatments, after around 3 to 10 days, the effects will last longer, up to 24 hours.
• Long-term: You will receive your maintenance dose every day at the same time, long-term. There is no set timeline for how long methadone treatment takes, and you and your doctor will have regular visits to work on your treatment goals and assess your overall health and well-being to create a long-term plan. To end methadone treatment and become completely drug-free, a rehab program, alongside a doctor-managed tapering-off schedule will help you quit without experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms or relapsing.

Access a Top Methadone Clinic and Get Help at WhiteSands Today

WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab is a luxury rehabilitation facility that works in tandem with methadone clinics throughout the area, providing inpatient and outpatient services like:

• Medical detox services – detoxification can be a complex process, and at WhiteSands we offer inpatient medical detox services, including 24-hour medical supervision and prescription medications available to help with pain, discomfort, anxiety, and other distressing withdrawal symptoms that may come up. Therapy and groups are also available to help you through this difficult time.
• Luxury residential (inpatient) rehab – Inpatient rehab at WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab usually lasts 30 to 90 days, with patients living within the facility full-time, day and night. You will be removed from any temptation of drugs and alcohol, living within a structured and safe environment in which healthy living and good habits are promoted. The days are busy, filled with therapy, groups, and holistic treatments, and in the evenings our patients become our guests, with luxury amenities available including a swimming pool, a boxing gym with trainers, plenty of places to lounge and relax, and more.
• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) – PHP is a 10- to 20-day program in which you sleep outside of the facility but come in for full days of interdisciplinary care, with group therapy 5 to 6 days a week, along with medical care and meetings with psychiatric professionals.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) – the IOP at WhiteSands is a 30- to a 90-day outpatient program that provides medical and psychiatric care and case management services to help you with life skills. This program helps you return to living your normal life as seamlessly as possible, with a strong continued connection to the services, friendships, and community you need. Several types of treatments and therapies are provided, with three hours of groups, three nights per week.
• Long-term outpatient and aftercare programs – after completing inpatient treatment or an IOP, you may wish to continue on with your therapy appointments, medical care, and group meetings as you go to the methadone clinic regularly and start to return to normal life. You will live independently in outpatient treatment, with strong support from addiction care professionals. If the need arises, there is also always the option to return to inpatient treatment or an IOP.

At WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab, we offer evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivation therapy, contingency management, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family therapy, group therapy, and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). We also have community-building and holistic treatments for your health and wellness that extend far beyond talk therapy, with yoga, acupuncture, massage, exercise, nutrition, and spiritual wellness practices.

If you are considering trying a methadone clinic and would like high-end support, medical treatments, luxury treatment options, and mental health care in a relaxing and safe environment, consider WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab. Call us today for more information on our methadone doctor or to verify insurance coverage. We are standing by now, ready to help you take the next step toward sobriety.

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.