Category Archives: Methadone Treatment

New York Methadone Clinics

Posted on February 15, 2011 | Comments Off on New York Methadone Clinics

methadone5New York City has the highest concentration of methadone clinics and buprenorphine providers in the country. Not only is New York the most populated city in the United States, but it is also one of the most densely populated areas in the world with 8 million people living in an area just over 300 square miles.

With larger populations come larger numbers of people in addiction. Consequently, it stands to reason that New York City would be a leader in providing opioid addiction treatment. There are well over 100 New York methadone clinics and area physicians approved to write prescriptions for suboxone (containing buprenorphine).

At one time, methadone was a treatment of choice primarily used for heroin addiction. However, with the enormous increase in pain pill addiction (Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet, etc.), methadone clinics are now accessed by many clients who have never used heroin. Quite a number of individuals report beginning their use of oral opioids as a means of controlling pain. But tolerance & continued use over time developed into a long term opioid dependency.

The emergence of methadone clinics across America is a very positive development. Medication-assisted treatment prevents opioid related deaths, reduces crime, reduces risk of severe health problems, and allows individuals to restart their lives in an unprecedented manner. Not too many years ago, one had to live near a major metropolitan city in order to gain access to methadone treatment. This trend is changing rapidly as America comes to grips with the problem of addiction. Buprenorphine is also part of the answer, and has increased the number of viable options available to those seeking recovery.

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Posted in Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Methadone Treatment, New York Methadone Clinics

Methadone Treatment Benefits Many

Posted on February 14, 2011 | Comments Off on Methadone Treatment Benefits Many

methadoneclientsThe amount of misinformation that is circulated in regard to methadone is pretty astounding. Methadone is truly one of the most well-researched addiction treatment medications in history, and is widely accepted as the most efficacious opioid addiction treatment ever.

Today, I reviewed a number of videos on YouTube based on the search word "methadone", and found a plethora of wild rants, exaggerations, and obvious paranoia … often expressed by local community citizens who seemed determined to prevent a methadone clinic from operating in their locale. I wonder how many of these people would feel that way if it were their daughter that needed the clinic, or their best friend.

As an addiction treatment professional who has witnessed firsthand methadone's dramatic life changing benefits, I can only shake my head at the irrational beliefs, and mean-spirited condemnation, held by everyday people. Many of these folks seem to have good intentions, but suffer from phenomenal ignorance on the topic of addiction & addiction treatment. Methadone stabilizes individuals physically, provides a means for dealing with one's addictive disease, and offers tremendous opportunity for moving forward in life and regaining one's sense of hope.

Many of our agency's clients hold professional positions, have become top moms & dads, and live peaceful, responsible lives. This is not hyperbole, it's reality. Receiving methadone for these individuals is no different than taking a daily pill for a health condition. And the majority are identical to anyone else that you might encounter on a daily basis.

Some methadone treatment clients are satisfied to simply tread water (which is far better than drowning in one's addiction). Perhaps their overriding goal was to just avoid withdrawal sickness, and they weren't aiming for much more than that. Fortunately, they are alive, are no longer committing crime, and they no longer feel driven to desperate measures to feed an opiate addiction. There is considerable value in this type of lifestyle change which reflects more a Harm Reduction level of benefit.

Harm reduction is an approach which allows an addicted person to reduce their exposure to risky addiction lifestyle practices. Effective harm reduction for an individual also yields harm reduction for the surrounding community as well. A no brainer.

So whether one's methadone treatment participation leads to dramatic improvements, or merely small life changes, the sum gain is nearly always positive. Methadone treatment benefits many. This is the reality. With society's judgment often being harsh, it's no wonder that methadone clients are reluctant to step forward publicly. If critics could see personal & up close the methadone client they fear, a wonderful positive shift could occur, and both methadone clients & methadone treatment more readily embraced. We are on our way to this new destination, one client at a time. (read more on community acceptance)

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Posted in Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Treatment, NIMBY

Methadone Maintenance Increases Functionality

Posted on February 14, 2011 | Comments Off on Methadone Maintenance Increases Functionality

methadone77Methadone maintenance offers stability. Clients who have moved to maintenance often report a return of mental clarity, an improved mood, and elimination of withdrawal symptoms. "I feel normal again" is an encouraging statement often heard by treatment staff and it represents the ability of an individual to become employed again, return to school, reconnect with family, and ascend to a higher plateau.

The average methadone dose is between 80 and 120 milligrams daily. However, the correct dose is whatever works for a particular client. There are clients who will need more than 120 mg/daily, and there are those who can maintain comfortably below 80 mg per day. Each person's metabolism and opioid tolerance are different. To become stable, and to then transition into a maintenance phase, will take some months for most methadone clients. It's an adjustment process.

However, once stable on a consistent dose, many clients begin to experience a notable refocusing on life & personal goals. When a client achieves successful methadone maintenance, it is a joy to behold in that people smile again and enjoy being in the position to live a more full and complete life. This journey from active addiction to a stable life free from illicit drugs is remarkable. To see clients, who have suffered, now experience relief from the torture of addiction is gratifying for friends, family, and treatment professionals.

Perhaps this is an overused metaphor, but the door to recovery opens, and individuals do learn to live again. Without methadone support, this would not happen for a large number of people. Thankfully, medication assistance is here to stay. It is a tried & true path to recovery. With over 2 million Americans currently facing an opioid problem, proven treatment interventions are essential to saving lives.

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Posted in Methadone, Methadone Clinics, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Treatment

Opioid Addiction the Unwanted Companion

Posted on February 11, 2011 | Comments Off on Opioid Addiction the Unwanted Companion

methadone91Many decent people have wondered how they ended up in the middle of an opioid addiction. Looking back, they retrace their past wishing they could undo some steps along the way. Facing opioid dependency becomes its own exhausting daily routine. Thinking about the past hurts, and looking forward brings worry. So one sits in the moment feeling a certain pain that just won't go away.

As addiction and its related problems fester, and infiltrate the important aspects of one's life, worry and anxiety become familiar feelings. These painful feelings will deepen addiction for some people as they become paralyzed with indecision and regret. Many fall further into their opioid dependency as they numb the pain with more drug use. This, of course, is not the answer.

If change is to occur, there are decisions which the addicted person must make. Addiction can be a devastating illness, yes. But addiction is also treatable, and this must never be forgotten. The progressive nature of opiate addiction means that the addiction worsens over time (progresses) unless the addicted individual does something to arrest the disease progression.

This is where treatment enters the picture. Many lives have been saved, and futures restored, by simply making the decision to get help. Getting help means accepting responsibility for choosing, and then staying the course. Methadone treatment programs, and other treatment options, are available. Treatment, and recovery, are not easy. But they are definitely worth the effort. Recovery brings light, opens doors, and reconnects one to the things that make life worthwhile again. This is the promise of recovery.

Seeking treatment may require some patience. Do not get discouraged. Sometimes, asking someone to help you find treatment resources can go a long way. Remember, you are worth it. And things can change. Methadone, suboxone, detox, inpatient rehab, and other treatment interventions are available. Step onto a new path.

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Posted in Methadone, Methadone Treatment, Opiate Addiction

Benzodiazepine and Methadone Considerations

Posted on February 8, 2011 | Comments Off on Benzodiazepine and Methadone Considerations

safetyAnxiolytics are a frequently prescribed classification of drugs that are utilized to reduce anxiety and which may provide some anticonvulsant benefits for those at risk of seizure. The most common of this class are benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, Klonopin, or Librium. These medications have helped many people who suffer with generalized anxiety or panic disorder.

However, there is some consensus that benzodiazepines are over-prescribed. They are typically provided on a short-term basis only since tolerance & dependency can develop with prolonged use. Of particular concern to opioid treatment providers is the potential for fatal overdose when "benz" medications are taken in conjunction with methadone.

This is a delicate issue in that many methadone clinics have adopted a policy that disallows any use of benzodiazepines while a client is receiving methadone. This decision came about several years ago, as a safety measure, when a number of client deaths occurred tied specifically to benzodiazepine and methadone use combined.

It must be said that there are methadone patients who have received & taken benzodiazepine medication responsibly and experienced no problem. But the medical and addiction treatment community have recognized a significant risk associated with the mixture of these two potent medications. Ultimately, a program's physician is the one who bears responsibility for which medications can be safely administered. When benzodiazepines are determined to be "too risky", this can leave a methadone patient feeling defenseless & concerned about their ability to manage their chronic anxiety. No doubt, unmanaged co-occurring disorders (and uncomfortable associated symptoms) can put clients at increased risk of drug relapse.

It is very important that treatment providers (opioid programs) give their clients ample support & alternative options for coping with their anxiety. There are non-addictive medications-of-choice for treating anxiety such as Buspar, and also a variety of cognitive-behavioral approaches that help clients learn to moderate their anxiety symptoms using newly developed skills.

In the end, opioid program clients put their trust in the expertise of the clinic physicians & staff who aim to help them. Sometimes, there is no perfect answer. And clinic staff must base a treatment decision on maximum client safety as well as factoring in liability concerns that could even jeopardize the clinic's existence. Benzodiazepines will remain a high priority topic for some time to come. They too, like methadone, are helpful medications. They too, like methadone, must be closely monitored and used appropriately.

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Posted in Benzodiazepine, Methadone, Methadone Safety, Methadone Treatment