Category Archives: Medication Assisted Treatment

Balanced News on Methadone Treatment Benefits

Posted on March 13, 2011 | Comments Off on Balanced News on Methadone Treatment Benefits

methadone-clinic-4The Kitsap Sun, a newspaper based out of Bremerton Washington, has published an article on the advantages of methadone replacement therapy in dealing with Washington State’s opioid addiction problem. The article reporter is Josh Farley, and he did a nice job of presenting the facts around methadone’s benefits.

Josh interviewed Ron Jackson, the Executive Director of Evergreen Treatment Services, an opioid treatment clinic in Seattle, Washington. In the article (and embedded video), Mr. Jackson describes how methadone treatment incorporates counseling, and is not just medication-assistance alone. The general tone of the article was fair and fact-based, and it recognized the various ways in which methadone treatment participation helps to stabilize addicted individuals’ lives. Articles of this nature are a welcome relief from the fear mongering that some media outlets resort to when referencing methadone.

For the Kitsap Sun report, several methadone clients came forward to share details of their lives & addictions, and to specifically address how utilizing methadone provides needed support in becoming free of illicit drugs. The Kitsap Sun article pointed to an increase in methadone program enrollment in recent years estimating that about 270,000 patients are presently participating in methadone maintenance nationally. Another opioid treatment advocate was quoted as saying there are approximately 1200 methadone clinics operating in the United States.

These growing numbers indicate the value of methadone treatment in America. People with opioid dependencies need interventions that are effective and life-altering. Methadone works. Thanks to the Kitsap Sun for their journalistic integrity, and for their interest in portraying opioid addiction treatment in a fair & balanced light.

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Posted in Medication Assisted Treatment, Methadone, Methadone Benefits, Methadone Blog, Methadone Clinics, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone News, Methadone Programs, Methadone Treatment, Opiate Addiction, Opiate Treatment

Methadone Treatment Clients Aim For Better Lives

Posted on March 12, 2011 | Comments Off on Methadone Treatment Clients Aim For Better Lives

methadone-recoveryI just read a news article about a proposed methadone clinic that is being met with community resistance, this time in Dade County, Georgia. The county is located in the northwestern tip of the state, and would provide treatment to people living in north Georgia, southern Tennessee, and northeastern Alabama.

Somewhat disturbing were several comments by readers of the article in which the proposed clinic was forecasted to be harmful to the community. One person wrote that clinics “do not help people”, and another writer stated that the clinic “would bring more unsavory characters into the county.”

A second article on the Dade County clinic, with an accompanying news video, showed an interview with a local store manager in a neighboring county. This store manager is located across the street from an existing methadone clinic. In the interview, the man said “Keep you eyes open and your ears open and watch out for people … because that (methadone) is some bad stuff.” The TV interviewer then asked the man had he observed any problems related to the clinic’s operation and he responded “I’ve not noticed any real bad things or anything happening around here.” He then goes on to say later in the interview “They’re (methadone clients) not causing any trouble.”

The TV interviewer for News Channel 9 also added that a number of local people she had interviewed for the piece (who did not want to appear on camera) confirmed that the clinic “had not had a negative impact on the area.”

This exemplifies the irrational fear & unjustified public condemnation of methadone that is often the norm in small communities. The reality is that the store owner referenced above had not seen anything troubling (per his own account), and the others interviewed said the clinic had brought no negative impact to the area. Think about that.

These community members, many of whom are obviously harboring unwarranted fears and suspicions, would most likely change their opinion of methadone clinics & methadone clients if they could simply meet them. The condemnation of those we do not know is an age-old problem, as are hate, harsh judgment, and fear of the unknown.

Discrimination is something that Americans have faced before. Discrimination against addicted people seeking help is sort of odd logic. Most people seem to believe that addiction is something far away and removed from their communities and their lives. But it isn’t.

Importantly, methadone maintenance blocks the effects of other opiates, stops withdrawal sickness, helps addicted people feel better emotionally, and allows them to go to work, raise their families, pay their mortgage, and become productive again. That clinic across the street is not a drug haven. It is a place where people, with good intentions and genuine hope, begin to reclaim their lives. They’re willing to step onto a new path leading to a drug free life. Is this really so terrible?

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Posted in Drug Treatment, Medication Assisted Treatment, Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Programs, Methadone Treatment, NIMBY

The Future of Methadone Treatment

Posted on March 7, 2011 | Comments Off on The Future of Methadone Treatment

methadonefutureThe total number of U.S. private and publicly funded methadone clinics has risen substantially just in the last few years. Moreover, opioid addiction treatment is receiving increased attention across the country as organizations like SAMHSA, NIDA, ASAM, and CARF become familiar acronyms to everyone working in the addiction treatment field.

We now have various suboxone formulations with increased availability, in addition to methadone, and new products aimed at treating opioid addiction are being researched and periodically released (such as Vivitrol). A generic version of suboxone is said to be on the horizon too thus becoming a more accessible & affordable option for many. The message is out that opioid addiction is a disease which can be successfully treated & managed using a combination of medication and behavioral health counseling approaches.

Methadone programs received a quality boost in 1999 when the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services identified methadone as a useful “clinical tool” in the treatment of opioid dependency. Provisions were then drafted & implemented which required all methadone programs to become independently accredited in order to establish a clinical standard of care.

Leading medical and educational institutions, such as Duke University, have committed to researching effective addiction treatments and are consequently advancing our knowledge of ways to deal with addictive disease. Organizations like JoinTogether.org are bringing relevant news to America on a daily basis in regard to addiction problems and solutions.

If the last 20 years are any indication, then the future of opioid addiction treatment will only improve. What used to be regarded as a “heroin only” isolated problem contained in the big cities, is in reality a fairly widespread problem affecting many everyday families in every American town regardless of its size.

The good new is that people all around the country are getting well. They have tools available for coping with addiction. The power of the internet is helping people tap into useful addiction recovery resources. The future brings continued promise, and many possibilities.

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Posted in Drug Treatment, Medication Assisted Treatment, Methadone, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Programs, Methadone Treatment, Opiate Addiction, Opiate Treatment, Suboxone

Finding Opportunity Through Methadone Assisted Recovery

Posted on March 4, 2011 | Comments Off on Finding Opportunity Through Methadone Assisted Recovery

methadonestartEntering treatment is all about change, positive change. People who make the decision to utilize methadone assistance have a desire to not only stabilize & avoid feeling sick, but to rebuild their lives.

Drug treatment in general is about opportunity. Diabetics could struggle along without insulin. But why should they? Those at risk of congestive heart disease could ignore the benefits of cholesterol-reducing statin drugs like Lipitor or Crestor. But why should they?

When a medication has been thoroughly researched and proven to enhance & save lives, that's a plus! Methadone provides opportunity for health and a life rebuilding process. In other words, a new start. It is vitally important for drug treatment professionals to understand that one size does not fit all. There are many paths to recovery and a true variety of approaches which addicted people can take advantage of in their effort to deal positively with their addiction. The old adage, "If it works, it works!", has more than a grain of truth.

Methadone clinics (suboxone too) are being accessed and successfully utilized by many people who are determined to manage their addictive disease and start living again. Don't judge them. Support them!

Now it's true that opioid replacement therapy is not typically the first treatment of choice right out of the gate. Sometimes opioid addicted individuals can achieve lasting recovery through outpatient counseling, detox, inpatient rehab programs, or committing wholeheartedly to the Narcotics Anonymous 12 Step program. There are choices, different paths. In the end, it's the addicted person's life, and it is their choice to choose that which offers them the best chance at a new start. Remember, when it comes to addiction, it is much better to do something … than nothing at all. Move toward a solution. Don't stay stuck.

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Posted in Medication Assisted Treatment, Methadone, Methadone Benefits, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Treatment, Opiate Treatment

Methadone Clinic Jobs

Posted on February 6, 2011 | Comments Off on Methadone Clinic Jobs

client78Methadone.US aims to serve a number of different purposes, including: educating the public on medication-assisted treatment, helping people to find methadone clinics & buprenorphine providers, and encouraging opioid dependent persons to commit to the recovery process as soon as possible.

You may have noticed that in addition to the above, Methadone.US has incorporated an employment section to aid professionals in locating job positions in the opioid treatment field. The job postings are updated daily, and highlight employment opportunities across the entire United States.

Our site is growing. Presently, contact information for methadone clinics and buprenorphine providers is being added daily to the Methadone.US database. More specialty sections and physician article feeds are soon to come such that site visitors can find new information & perspectives with each visit to the site.

It is estimated that over 2 million people in America are struggling with an opiate abuse or dependency issue. This number does not include their family members, their employers, the legal system, and beyond. All totaled, the presence & impact of opioid addiction on society is quite large. Hopefully, Methadone.US will help to make a difference … one person at a time. Thanks for visiting the site today. Your feedback is always welcomed on how we may improve.

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Posted in Medication Assisted Treatment, Methadone, Methadone Clinic Jobs, Methadone Clinics, Methadone Maintenance