5 Reasons Local Methadone Clinics are the Right Choice

Methadone clinics have been around since the 1960s helping people with their addictions to heroin and other opiates. It is very likely that, wherever you live, you will be able to find a local methadone clinic near you. If you are struggling with opiate addiction, here are 5 reasons why it may be the right choice for you to seek treatment at a local methadone clinic.

1. Methadone is Most Effective When Taken Once Daily.

If you are already leaning toward a clinic of this type, choosing an local methadone clinic will help you immensely. According to the CDC, “most patients require a dose of 60-120 mg/day to achieve optimum therapeutic effects of methadone.” Since methadone must be taken daily for the best effects, it is often necessary for many people to be close to the clinic at which they receive their medication. Especially at first, you will have to visit the clinic every day to get your medication.

2. Local Clinics are Cheaper.

Depending on your needs, you may want to choose a local clinic simply because they are cheaper. You will not need to relocate or pay for any of the expenses of traveling, which many people do when they choose inpatient clinics which are much farther away from home. You will also not incur the costs of nearby inpatient facilities which are still usually much more expensive.

3. You Will Benefit from the Closeness of Your Support System.

Many people who are going through drug addiction treatment will need their friends, family, members, and any other loved ones nearby. For those who do have a caring support system made up of people who want to see them get better, this is often one of the most beneficial aspects of recovery that treatment cannot control. Also if you choose a non-local clinic, you may not have the possibility of keeping your friends nearby. Those who choose outpatient treatment facilities, like many methadone maintenance facilities are, will need a strong support system to get through recovery in a non-controlled environment.

4. Local Methadone Treatment is Beneficial to Those Under Parole,

   

   A local clinic helps your maintain treatment and stay close to your loved ones.

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According to a study from the NCBI, The NIH “also recommended that methadone maintenance be available to persons under legal supervision, such as probationers, parolees, and the incarcerated.” This is one of the ways in which local methadone maintenance treatment can be very beneficial. These individuals are often not able to attend treatment elsewhere and may need to stay local per the terms of their supervision. With local methadone maintenance clinics, someone under supervision can receive treatment and adhere to the terms of his or her legal agreements.

5. Methadone Treatment Allows a Person to Be Treated and Live His or Her Life.

This is one of the most beneficial and satisfying aspects of methadone treatment. Often, methadone maintenance is only “part of a broad, multicomponent treatment program that also emphasize[s] resocialization and vocational training” (CDC). These aspects make it easier for someone to get his or her life back on track while receiving treatment. Methadone treatment is safe, effective, and beneficial while local treatment allows a person to recover while not disrupting his or her life.