What is a Methadone Clinic?

Published On: February 18, 2024|Categories: Addiction Treatment|

Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction includes many different facets of treatment, including detox, rehab and mental health counseling, as well as aftercare and family therapy if needed. All parts work together to form the cohesive whole of recovery from substance abuse. 

One of the particular aspects often used during detox and rehab – and throughout aftercare as well – is known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) where FDA-approved medications are used to help curb withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. 

One such medication, methadone, is often seen in drug detox programs for its ability to do just that and more. For those who have not seen success with talk therapy alone or who struggled with an advanced addiction needing MAT, treatment at a methadone clinic may be right for you. 

What is methadone? 

Methadone is a schedule II controlled substance, meaning while it does have potential for abuse it also has a recognized medical benefit. It is sometimes prescribed for pain management, but when utilized in MAT programs it is used to reduce opioid use. Methadone is a synthetic opioid used to effectively treat opioid addictions like heroin, morphine and codeine. 

Many have concerns about methadone use in treatment, assuming that due to methadone’s abuse potential as an opioid, methadone treatment just replaces one substance addiction with another. While methadone alone can be potentially addicting, the methadone prescriptions used in medication-assisted treatment are not.

This is because the dose for MAT prescribed methadone is not administered at a level that can cause addiction, but at a rate only meant to lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings and help the body wean off other addictive substances slowly and permanently. It is not dosed to maintain the levels of addiction that heroin, morphine or other opioids cause.

What is a methadone clinic?

Methadone prescription may be what you need to benefit your recovery, especially if cravings have caused relapse before and you do not feel as though you have benefitted the way you hoped you would from traditional talk therapy methods. 

When starting, “Patients taking methadone to treat opioid addiction must receive the medication under the supervision of a physician. After a period of stability (based on progress and proven, consistent compliance with the medication dosage), patients may be allowed to take methadone at home between program visits.”

For this reason, methadone clinic treatment is most often done as inpatient care since advanced drug addiction treatment requires constant supervision and expertly timed medication administration. 

Methadone clinics are more than just treatment programs offering medication-assisted treatment, however. They offer a variety of evidence-based practices that build on each other, including:

  • Withdrawal management and residential treatment services for adults
  • Individualized treatment planning and lengths of stay
  • Co-occurring disorders treatment
  • Dedicated and compassionate staff committed to providing tools for long-term recovery
  • Holistic approaches toward healing, including yoga and art expression
  • On-site fitness center, yoga room and outdoor recreational space
  • Incorporation of traditional 12-step fellowship, SMART recovery and Refuge Recovery
  • Comprehensive care management and aftercare services

With such a well-rounded treatment plan, including aftercare services, methadone clinics can benefit individuals with long-term sobriety that leads to lifelong wellness and addiction freedom.

Why should I look for a methadone clinic near me?

Numerous benefits of methadone treatment make it a desirable option for many individuals. If you are weighing the pros and cons of this form of treatment, take into consideration the following: 

  • Medication-assisted treatment helps lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms which are often the cause of severe illness and relapse that may lead to accidental overdose 
  • Methadone treatment works to wean the body off of addictive substances with a prescription dosage that is safe and unlikely to cause further addiction 
  • Methadone clinics offer holistic therapies, meaning more than the physical body is treated during recovery – by using therapies like yoga, art and talk, the equally important mental and emotional aspects of the person can receive healing; this ensures longer-lasting recovery
  • Life skills clinics are built into the recovery program to foster a more successful post-rehab journey – by learning to build a resume, interview for jobs, meal prep, craft a daily routine and more, those in recovery are supported in revamping their whole life – a task that can be difficult to do alone 
  • Treatment for co-occurring disorders, where both the addiction is addressed and treated, and underlying mental health conditions, such as PTSD, anxiety or depression, are also treated to help minimize one from triggering the other, therefore improving overall long-term recovery 

If you believe you would benefit from a methadone clinic for these reasons, consider looking into Pyramid Healthcare’s methadone clinic in York, Pennsylvania. With the above-listed benefits, and more, you will be well-equipped to find success in your recovery journey.

Looking for a methadone clinic near you?

To begin your treatment journey today, check out our methadone clinic in Pennsylvania. With residential facilities for both men and women, as well as a beautiful residential space in which to call home, all our residents are guaranteed a comfortable, supportive environment in which to detox and heal. 

To learn more, reach out to our admissions staff by contacting us at 888-694-9996 or contact us online to get in touch at any time.

Related Locations

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  • Methadone Treatment

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